The Faculty of Education will soon publish its strategic plan. Informed by the goals set by the University's Strategic Development Plan (2002-2006), and by its commitment to promoting successful learning and fulfilling human development in all its forms and across all life stages, the faculty's Strategic Plan for 2004-05 constitutes a concrete and realistic response to national educational challenges and aspirations. This article previews the strategic goals and highlights some of the action that will be taken in the next two years.
¤ Reviewing and implementing national policy documents. This strategic goal focuses on the need for ongoing review and implementation of national policies in education, psychology and youth and community studies. The implementation of this strategic goal should lead to a continuous update of the various programmes offered by the faculty.
¤ Assuring quality. In line with the university's strategic plan, this goal highlights the importance of regular auditing of the faculty's operations. Traditionally, the faculty has always focused its energy on reviewing its academic programmes. As from this year, through the university's Quality Assurance Office, it will be auditing all academic and administrative services.
¤ Providing outreach. Through this goal, the faculty will provide extra-mural programmes that respond to local community needs. The centre piece of the faculty's action here is the establishment of the Extension Studies Programme. This programme will provide continuous professional development for teachers and educational administrators. It will also provide popular courses for parents and for the general public.
¤ Producing, facilitating and disseminating research. This goal is intended to consolidate the faculty's position as leader in the production and dissemination of research. The faculty will be supporting research initiatives undertaken by its academic staff, students and teachers. The dissemination infrastructure is already in place. It includes: the annual B.Ed and M.Ed dissertation showcases; annual public lectures; annual research seminars; Journal of Maltese Education Research; Trends - A Monograph Series', and Mediterranean Journal of Education Studies. The faculty will also publish the B.Ed and M.Ed dissertation abstracts on the web.
¤ Internationalising the faculty. This strategic goal is meant to continue to transform the faculty into an international site of research, teaching and learning. In fact, the faculty is already participating in several international networking initiatives, research consortia, student and staff exchanges, editorial boards, and scientific and consultative committees. The faculty intends to increase staff and student exchange by doubling the number of bilateral agreements by the end of 2005. Other initiatives include: summer schools; European Masters and distance learning.
¤ Promoting different modes of open and distance learning. The faculty intends to exploit the existing electronic infrastructure to provide flexible learning environments. Such environments blend technology-based instruction with traditional forms of learning. The specific targets in this regard include a minimum of one blended European Masters by mid-2005; a minimum of five blended B.Ed study-units by the end of 2005; and an international conference on flexible learning in the third quarter of 2005.
¤ Promoting a better working environment. The faculty firmly believes that there is a strong link between output and positive physical and psycho-social contexts. The faculty's priorities in this area include: constant upgrading of its physical spaces; ongoing improvement of its electronic infrastructure; attention to health and- safety issues; ensuring sustainability of the working environment; and maintaining a community spirit.
¤ Promoting a better information strategy. This goal aims at providing students, academic and non-academic staff, and the local and international communities with sufficient and easy-to-access information on the faculty's activities, academic programmes and research endeavours. Given the current financial situation, most of the initiatives in this regard will be web-based in nature.
¤ Promoting a more efficient and democratic administration. This is a personal crusade of the present dean, Carmel Borg - to provide an administrative structure that is ethical, transparent, democratic and enabling in nature. The faculty of Education is the only faculty at university that publishes board of studies and faculty board agendas and minutes. In addition, the dean's office is committed to updating its staff on a daily basis. The faculty also has an electronic forum where issues are debated openly on a daily basis.
¤ Promoting a student-friendly environment. This goal addresses the targets set by the student charter. One of the main targets in this regard is the setting up of a students' committee. Representatives from all year groups will discuss student issues and concerns with members of staff. The committee will also help in raising funds for the faculty and in organising academic and social happenings.
¤ Generating funds. The strategic plan calls for the exploration of possibilities and the exploitation of opportunities that generate funds for the faculty. European projects, the Extension Studies Programme, post-graduate degrees, diplomas and certificates, and fund raising activities are among the items on the agenda.
¤ Reviewing the strategic plan of individual departments. Individual departments will be called to review their vision, objectives and plan of action in the light of the overarching goals of the faculty. The departments will be asked to present a strategic plan by the end of 2004.
This article first appeared in Teacher magazine, issue no. 86.