The American University of Malta should serve as a learning experience, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said on Friday, insisting that the track record of educational institutions should be scrutinised well before they set up shop.
The AUM has been making headlines since its inception. Earlier this year, its lecturers were dismissed days before the start of a new term and after the university had failed to attract the 300 students it had intended.
Fielding questions during a press conference to announce a call for proposals for setting up an international school at the former Mtarfa hospital, Mr Bartolo insisted that any institution that sets up in Malta needs to have a “very good track record” and insisted that it must have extensive experience in the running of schools.
Read: AUM hits back at critics, reports: 'project on track, new staff engaged'
Asked whether he was insisting on such a track record in light of the failings of the AUM, the minister said that the government should “learn from” it.
“I have no problem saying that we can learn from the experience, and it is important that we learn. I’ve expressed my views on the AUM several times in the past,” he said when pressed by this newspaper to say whether he felt the need to be extra cautious following the problems faced by the university.
He added that any entities wanting to be involved in educational projects must present proof beforehand that they had the necessary experience.
“The first thing that the investors must show us isn’t that they have money or what they intend to do in the future, but they must present their track record and also show how, in past years, they have run institutions with internationally accredited curriculums,” Mr Bartolo went on.
The minister is already on record saying that the AUM should focus on building its reputation before moving on to develop a full-blown campus at Żonqor Point, Marsascala.
Read: AUM student projections cut by half
On the call for proposals, Mr Bartolo said that investors will have three months to submit their bids, in line with EU procedures.
An evaluation board will be set up to evaluate all the submissions, and a technical board will be appointed and tasked with ensuring that the work plan is implemented.
The government will rent the site for €50,000 for the first five years, going up to €125,000 for the following five years. After that, the rate will increase by eight per cent every five years. The concession will be for 40 years, the minister said.
“The programme must be an internationally accredited one. Those attending the school must be able to leave the school with qualifications that allow them to continue their studies if they opt to move elsewhere.
“The need for such an institution has become essential, because when seeking to attract investments, those moving to Malta ask about the education system, and most of the time their decision is based on where children will attend school,” Mr Bartolo said.