Students’ council launches petition against Zonqor University

The University Students’ Council (KSU) has set up an online petition, calling on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to put an immediate stop to the proposed construction of a private university at Zonqor Point, Marsascala.

In their petition, KSU expressed their “extreme disappointment” with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for proposing land that is outside development zones for the American University of Malta that Jordanian construction firm Sadeen Group wants to build.

The petition is backed by 44 other student organisations.

“Furthermore, KSU together with student organisations and student representatives will continue to study this proposal in a holistic manner; analysing the economical and educational aspects to this project, to see that the interest of all students who study at the University of Malta is safeguarded, and that the reputation of this institution is not at stake,” KSU said.

The student council reiterated their indignation that the University of Malta and themselves were not consulted ahead of the announcement of the new university.

The government originally instructed both the government property department and MEPA to identity a public parcel of land in the south of the island big enough to take the construction of a 4,000 student campus.

The public outrage that followed, after MEPA selected Zonqor Point – a piece of land originally forming part of an area designated for a natural park back in 2006 – has now led Muscat to consider splitting the campus over two sites.