Two Hewlett Packard executives based in Munich paid a courtesy call on the KSU (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji) office at the University of Malta last Friday week to witness the signing of an agreement appointing Forestals of The Strand, Sliema, as official IT partner to the KSU. They also visited the new computer sales outlet Forestals have just opened within Students' House.
The conclusion of the agreement, as well as the visit by HP representatives, is a clear indication not only of the commitment by both Forestals and KSU towards students, but also to the student council's financial stability and good administration, KSU said in a statement last week.
The run-up to the signing of the Forestals agreement was a lengthy one with various other companies vying to be the KSU's IT partner. The selection was finally narrowed down to two companies and, to the satisfaction of Forestals, their company was chosen.
The good contacts of Forestals with both Microsoft and Hewlett Packard were an influential element in KSU's final choice.
The visiting HP representatives - Jan Graef, manager responsible for Malta, and Helene Belndorfer, marketing manager for European Emerging Markets - were favourably impressed with the running of the KSU that also showed an interest in supporting some forthcoming KSU activities. They commended Forestals on their successful bid to reinforce their presence in the student market.
Etienne Borg Cardona, director responsible for Forestals' IT Division said he was confident that the signing of the contract would be the beginning of a partnership that would benefit both sides and would prove fruitful both to the KSU and to University students and staff.
The two-year contract has brought a refreshing update to the Council's computer and technology set-up. The contract included the complete upgrading of the KSU's computer network system, and the opening of a Forestals outlet within Students' House, which through KSU's efforts, has turned into a centre of services on campus.
Other services offered at Students' House are: a travel agency, NSTS; a photocopy bureau, Konika; a bookshop, Agenda; a new stationery; as well as a games and hobby outlet, Forbidden Power, to be opened soon.
KSU has adopted a strategy to establish partnerships with companies willing to invest in the student market. These partnerships enable it to finance its many activities and the improvements at Students' House. Thanks to this positive response, KSU has spent over Lm7,000 to improve the facilities, including toilets for the handicapped as well as a network of security cameras.
In its statement the KSU thanked its new corporate partner Forestals as well as its main sponsor, HSBC, and all other corporate sponsors: NSTS, Konica, Go Mobile, Maltacom, MaltaNet, KBIC, 89.7 Bay and Alan Calleja Photography.