The principal of Mcast, Stephen Cachia, yesterday warned against sweeping statements that could harm the stipend system, in light of the discussion about the importance of investing in research.
Some students even find it hard to pay foreign exam fees and the maintenance grant helps them continue their studies, said the head of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.
Mr Cachia was taking part in a discussion on stipends and research organised by the Malta Council for Science and Technology at Villa Bighi, Kalkara.
Earlier this year, the dean of the Faculty of Engineering, John Betts, echoed calls by independent stakeholders when he said money invested in student stipends should be allocated instead to funding research and laboratory equipment.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, his plea came as both major parties pledged to hang on to the system.
The discussion panel yesterday also included spokespersons from the political parties and the student organisations Pulse and SDM.
Their basic message was that stipends and research should not be in conflict. Pulse president Matthew Zerafa noted that the maintenance grant system should not be the sole incentive for students to continue their studies while Ansel Briffa, from SDM, called for alternative means to fund research, including tapping into EU funds.
For Labour Party president Daniel Micallef, stipends are an investment in students which eventually form the country’s workforce.
“I am a product of the stipend system, and during my studies I could not sustain myself through a part-time job... Stipends should remain there and should be made relevant to today’s needs,” he said, adding that apart from EU funds, the private sector could also invest in the research sector.
Opposition education spokesman Clyde Puli noted that it was the PN that had introduced the stipend system, and neither the maintenance grant system nor research funds should be removed to the detriment of the other.
He said there were alternatives: in 2005 a basic amount was given to all students while extra grants were handed out to Gozitans, students from low-income families and others who furthered their studies in sectors deemed important for the country.