Is enough money allocated for scientific and technological research at University?

There is room for improvement. When it comes to research it’s never enough. Research is crucial to keep up in this dynamic environment. Research conducted at the University is one of the main pillars that can drive the country forward. The potential is huge, but it needs more financing. Kersten Mallia, Masters in Accounting.

Research is of ever growing importance. Investing in research projects is beneficial to society as a whole. Although the University does allocate money to this area of research, more capital should be invested in this particular field, as this allows for future development. Fleur Abela, LL.B (Hons), 2nd year.

One should look at the amount of money allocated to each area of research at University. At my faculty, we are producing incredible amount of research, but our labs and the resource materials are not keeping up. Our faculty has its back to the wall and is not the optimal area for innovation and discovery. Alexander Hili, BSc Biology and Chemistry, 3rd year.

Should the student maintenance grant and stipend system be revised?

I don’t look at the initial grant and stipends as government recurrent expenditure but rather as a capital expenditure by which the State invests in tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. Human resources are the strongest force in the country’s economy. Kersten Mallia

The student maintenance system has been revised in recent years, with the COLA adjustment and abolition of taxes on stipends definitely improving the system. The government should monitor the students maintenance system, because €86.05 a month does not sustain everyone’s needs. Fleur Abela

Yes it should, but not to give students less money. Something that could be considered is a summer apprenticeship system that would give students enough money to cover their education. It is an anomaly for a country to fund its undergraduates but not postgraduates: while this helps to have a healthy number of undergraduates, one also needs to support masters and Ph.D students. Alexander Hili

Students fear that if research funding is increased, stipends will either be reduced or removed. Can a balance be reached, or should we favour one over the other?

I don’t see research and stipends as substitutes: rather, they are complementary to one another. Stipends help and encourage students to go to university whereas funding for research comes later on when students advance in their studies. One cannot hold back from investing in education through stipends, grants, scholarships and research funding. The key to success is balance and efficiency. Kersten Mallia

The government should try to find a balance to ensure that both research funding and stipends are maintained, without to overshadowing the importance of one over the other. Fleur Abela

On one hand one needs to support a large amount of students so that they can get a degree and encourage foreign investment in the country. At the same time all the University’s departments must be supported to keep producing quality research so as to maintain the University’s high reputation. Alexander Hili

Compiled by Insite – the student media organisation.