Simon Busuttil has called on all those objecting to the siting of the American University project in Marsascala to “unite and speak up while there is still time to save the area”.
During a consultation meeting with students at the university yesterday, Dr Busuttil said that, while the Opposition supports investment in education, environmental concerns had to be given weight, too.
He said that, although it should not be the Opposition’s job to find alternative sites, one such option had been identified at the former petroleum division plant in Birżebbuġa.
PN councillors in Birżebbuġa had moved a motion calling for a feasibility study on the site, but the Labour majority rejected it, raising questions as to the sincerity of the government’s openness to alternatives, he said.
Education shadow minister Therese Comodini Cachia said the deal appeared to have gone through without consultation and lacked transparency.
While the Opposition supports investment in education, environmental concerns have to be given weight, too
She wondered whether the government’s stated commitment to raise investment in education would include the University of Malta and whether the focus on new “world-class programmes of study” would create two tiers of education.
Following reports that the government amended requirements for educational institutions to be considered as universities, Dr Comodini Cachia expressed concern over the impact on the reputation of established service providers and their graduates.
The meeting at the university was attended by representatives of various student organisations, including the University Students’ Council (KSU). The media, however, was not allowed to follow the proceedings when students were making their interventions.
In a statement earlier this month, KSU raised a number of concerns relating to the project, specifically its fear that the proposed university would deplete the University of Malta’s already limited resources.
The council also condemned the choice of location and urged the government to consider alternatives.