The University Students’ Council welcomed the increased investment in education.

In a statement it said the increased university budget will continue to fund the current infrastructural drive to ensure the University can cater for the ever-increasing student population.

It also welcomed the Government’s commitment to a long-term plan for the university and to increase stipends proportionally.

It noted the increased stipend allowance to Maltese students reading for a course in Veterinary studies, which would continue to support students who needed to study abroad to follow their chosen vocation.

In respect to the proposed initiative of granting stipends to students repeating an academic year, KSU called for a clear-cut approach as to which students would be eligible to benefit from the mentioned-stipends.

KSU said it understood this was meant to encourage students to persevere in their studies, however, it expected this to be done in a sensible and well-devised manner to avoid encouraging students taking a passive, laissez faire approach towards their studies.

KSU said it backed the Government’s concern in acknowledging the need to devise a holistic plan to tackle the traffic and transportation problems plaguing the Maltese islands.

It welcomed the continued drive to promote employment, which it said was of utmost importance for University students who would be the main job seekers a few years down the line.