Busuttil meets students over private university project

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil met with University of Malta students today in a bid to rally support to halt the proposed new university project.

This was the second consultation meeting held with parties opposed to the 'American University of Malta' project, which would see virgin land in Marsascala developed into a campus. The move drew criticism from green NGOs, as well as the hunting federations, civil society and even the Church. 

The University Student Council (KSU) had also voiced its opposition to the project, criticizing the government's lack of consultation with involved entities and expressing concern that a new university could mean a loss of academic staff for Malta's own university.

Meeting with representatives of various student organizations including KSU, MKSU (Moviment Kattoliku Studenti Universitarji) and Youth for the Environment, Busuttil said that although investment in the educational sector is necessary, it should not come at the expense of virgin agricultural land.

He added that the Opposition was carrying out various consultation meetings that should have been carried out by the government itself and pushing for studies into the project although it wasn’t its duty.

Busuttil expressed his hope that a 'strength in numbers' approach would prevail and stop the project from continuing.

He said that PN councillors in Birzebbuga had pushed for an examination of sites but that the PL majority council had overruled them, which proved that the government was not interested in finding alternative sites.

He also questioned the choice of the Jordanian investors, given their history as a construction firm with no past involvement in education.

Shadow minister for education Therese Comodini Cachia was also present and gave a presentation to the students gathered.

She stressed that the government was not being transparent, particularly as it had neglected to consult with students, who are central to the issue.

“The government not only forgot to consult with social partners and environmentalists, but it also ignored the students’ role in keeping Malta’s reputation for excellence in education,” Comodini Cachia said.

In her presentation, Comodini Cachia also pointed out that the PN was concerned both about the lack of consultation, and about whether the government was willing to give private and public universities the same amounts of support and assistance.

The presentation also stressed concerns about the lowered requirements for an applicant to obtain a licence as a University and whether this would have a negative impact on educational standards.