The University's academic year may kick off without academic staff on Tuesday as collective agreement talks between lecturers and the authorities remain deadlocked.
Education Minister Dolores Cristina minister would not divulge figures, but she insisted that the offer made by the government was "very generous". The ball is in the lecturers' court, she said.
"Now, they have to decide whether they want it or not... Their (the academics) demands are not feasible in this country's scenario. So basically I'm hoping that they will discuss the matter among themselves and that we will give students what they deserve."
The statement comes in the wake of yet another inconclusive meeting last Thursday between the University management and representatives of academic staff, the Malta Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Association (Umasa).
Last Friday, unions met again with Finance Minister Tonio Fenech for a presentation of the government's offer, but there was no breakthrough.
The deadlock is likely to mean that the academic year will start with a strike by lecturers who have been threatening to take industrial action for the past few weeks should there be no agreement.
"Obviously it's a matter of concern," the minister said, when asked about the prospect of a strike next week.
"We're supposed to open the academic year on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the package doesn't meet their demands. They have not budged an inch from their demands earlier in the year."
When asked whether the government's position is final, the minister weighed her words carefully. "Let me put it this way, while the finance minister made it very clear that he would not be averse to a little tweaking, unfortunately we cannot meet their demands."
When asked to react to Ms Cristina's remarks, Umasa president Victor Buttigieg said he would rather not comment for the time being.
"Contrary to what people think, we are wary of any action which could have a negative impact on students, but as a union we cannot renege on our right to industrial action," he said, reiterating that a strike is not being ruled out.