UMASA, the trade union representing lecturers at the University, said today that the fact that a substantial number of students still felt that some of their lecturers were not very good public speakers meant that there was still work to be done in this regard.

The union - the University of Malta Academic Staff Association - was reacting to a KSU survey which found that University lecturers were generally well prepared, knowledgeable about their subjects and willing to help, but many students were not so impressed with their lecturing skills and ability to be stimulating in class. (see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100614/local/university-survey-students-not-impressed-by-lecturers )

UMASA said the collective agreement which it had signed along with the MUT and the University placed due importance on education, training and development of academic staff and also set out a strategy for training in pedagogy, educational technologies and lecturing methods.

It pointed out that the University, in agreement with the unions, had reinstated the student feedback exercise at the end of every semester, in order to serve as an input towards the continuous improvement of the academic staff in their lecturing. The strategy set out in the agreement was expected to bear maximum fruition in the medium and longer terms.

The union pointed out, however, that in a University environment, the students shared the responsibility for learning to a much greater extent than did students in primary and secondary schools.

"University students are of sufficient maturity to be proactive in their studies, and to seek out new knowledge on their own in order to complement the knowledge received during lectures. This is in fact part of the training process of the students, and it is one of the duties of a University lecturer to give space for the students to do this," the union added.

UMASA welcomed the fact that most students were satisfied with the levels of knowledge and of preparation of the lecturers, and that they felt that lectures were well delivered. The union was also happy to note that the majority of students felt that they are treated fairly and equally by the lecturers.