Computer-generated images of modern extensions and additional floors on historic buildings in Cospicua feature on the Sadeen Group’s Facebook page, though permits have still to been issued.
The Jordanian construction group, which was allocated the historic sites built by the Knights of St John to transform the Dock 1 area into the American University of Malta, was advertising its modern campus to lure students, the Times of Malta was told.
Planning Authority sources felt the Sadeen Group was acting unethically by giving the impression the AUM facilities at Cospicua were up and running when work was still in progress.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has already objected to the proposal on the grounds it jars with the rest of the historical building
“In some cases, Sadeen has not even applied for a permit to build what foreign students are being led to believe is already completed. In other cases, they have pending development applications on which there are serious doubts as to whether a permit can be issued,” the sources said.
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A case in point is a proposal to add three additional floors to what is known as the British Building. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has already objected to the proposal on the grounds it jars with the rest of the historical building, and representations opposing the grant of a permit have also been made to the PA.
One objector, Caroline Said, wrote that the permit should not even be considered, as it “overwhelmed” the town centre and diminished its communal value.
“This is an urban conservation area, but the [proposed] extension looks more like the destruction rather than the conservation of the area,” she told the PA in her submission.
The Times of Malta is also informed that top AUM officials were called to the Office of the Prime Minster last Wednesday to discuss the latest developments, including the dismissal of all academic staff members except Provost John Ryder.
Sources close to the government said that present for the meeting were the vice president for global initiatives, Khaled El-Zayyat, and Adrian Hillman, a member of the AUM board of trustees who is also facing investigations on allegations of suspected money laundering.
Another meeting was held at the Cospicua campus days before, attended also by members of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s communications department.
Neither the Office of the Prime Minister nor the AUM replied when asked what was on the agendas for the meetings and what role the OPM had, if any, in the administration of the beleaguered university.
The AUM originally planned to attract 330 students in its first year but only managed 15 registrations.
The AUM terminated the contracts of both its academic and administration staff just a few days before their six-month probation period was over.