The University of Malta will not object to the presence of a second university as long as a level playing field is allowed and an analysis of its impact on existing operations is carried out.

The Prime Minister last week announced that Jordanian investors will be opening an American university campus in Malta and a preliminary agreement is expected to be signed today.

A spokeswoman for the Rector’s Office told Times of Malta it had only learnt about this foreign investment from the media, and could not comment as it had very few details in hand.

“However, the University of Malta is not against foreign investment in the higher education sector as long as a level playing field is allowed,” she said.

“The University of Malta trusts the government has conducted the expected due diligence and impact analysis of this new venture on existing operations.

“One hopes this new development will encourage the government to allow the University of Malta more autonomy and the freedom to compete,” the spokeswoman added.

The Chicago-based De Paul University is planning to invest €114 million to construct its premises at a site close to the Żonqor area