I share the concerns which have been expressed by the lecturers with regard to the recent amendments to the regulations covering the licensing, accreditation and quality assurance of further and higher education.

These changes affect both the standards and the reputation of our tertiary education system. They could have negative repercussions on the movement of graduates to other countries and on students who wish to pursue their studies in Malta.

A university is, by its very nature, an institution of research. The amended article 47 (1b) however states that “a higher education institution has academic staff and academic library and stable research training or stable research and development activities of a high standard”.

Therefore, it would be enough for an institution to train students in research. It is no longer required to have stable research to be granted university status.

The amended regulations have narrowed down the fields of study for an institution to be granted university status from six to four fields, at MQF levels 5, 6 and 7.

The requirement of a minimum of programmes of studies at MQF level 8 in at least four fields has now been deleted.

Furthermore, the proviso introduced at the end of the article 47 empowers the National Commission for Further and Higher Education to give university status to an institution which does not meet the requisites of article 47. The proviso raises serious concerns, as any Tom, Dick and Harry who has money can come and invest in Malta and open a so-called university that can deliver just one programme of studies.

Malta has always enjoyed a high standard of tertiary education but these recent amendments to the regulations are a retrograde step.

What is even more worrying is the fact that these amendments have been endorsed by a commission whose responsibilities include the upgrading of standards in education.

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