Five physiotherapy students are still in the dark as to whether they will be graduating later this year after they could not complete their clinical practice this summer because of industrial action.

The university has confirmed that the students, who were to resit their clinical practice exam on Wednesday, were not equipped with the necessary skills to take the exam and so it was cancelled.

Speaking to Times of Malta, one of the students said that although they had not been receiving the necessary training, they had still received a date for the exam, giving them the impression it would be taking place. Last week, however, they were informed the exam was postponed indefinitely.

Until the issue is resolved, their future as physiotherapists remains unclear

A university spokesperson said “everything is being done to try and solve the matter as soon possible to allow the students to carry out clinical practice, sit for their exams and graduate in November with the rest of their cohort”. However, the students expressed their concern that until this issue was resolved, their future as physiotherapists remained unclear.

In a statement, the students’ council (KSU) and the Malta Health Students’ Association called on the Education Ministry and the UĦM to reach an agreement and end the industrial dispute.

The situation, the organisations said, was not only directly affecting the five students but would also affect the students who would be returning to the university in the coming week.

“The scholastic term for these students has been subsequently delayed, as the placements commencing in September have been postponed indefinitely, resulting in numerous uncertainties about the final year of their studies, mainly about when and whether they will be starting it,” KSU and MHSA said.