European survey to review undergraduate life in Malta

All Maltese students in the second semester at the University of Malta have recently been invited to take part in the Eurostudent survey alongside university students from 27 other European countries.

Eurostudent is a European network that supports policymakers by linking the data from different countries and comparing the social situation of students throughout Europe. This data is important because it raises awareness on current problems students are facing and helps policymakers define how student life may be improved.

Knowing what student life in Malta really entails is quite difficult because there is little information available. For example, what is the background of students enrolling in higher education? How heavy is the workload and how much time do students have to invest in their studies at university and at home? To what extent are students engaged in regular employment, alongside their studies? What are their typical expenses and average income?

Many countries in Europe already undertake student surveys on a regular basis to gather such information. However, no such data currently exists in Malta, because no social survey among students has been carried out so far. To fill this gap, Malta is taking part in this survey for the first time to help provide information on the social situation of students in Malta.

To take part in the survey, University students have to access links in an e-mail sent to them on February 22 by the University Registrar's Office through the e-Sims system. Students have until March 26 to submit their replies. All participants who complete the survey will be entered in a lottery draw for six book vouchers of €50 each.

Throughout Europe, only students at public universities are eligible to take part in the Eurostudent survey. So in order to ensure comparability of the results at European level only Maltese students currently studying at the University of Malta have been invited to take part in the survey.

This includes mature students and those on part-time/evening courses. However, students currently on an exchange programme abroad may not participate.

Findings of the previous Eurostudent survey of 2008, which was conducted among 23 European countries, showed that the participation of students whose families do not have a strong background in further and higher education, is still low throughout Europe. This means that more needs to be done to increase participation of students from these families, so that they may enjoy the benefits of education as well.

Another survey finding is that part-time employment is a major income source of students in Europe. This seems to negatively affect their workload to such an extent that while being enrolled in full-time courses, many students can spend less than 21 hours a week on their studies.

Bearing in mind that the time spent studying has an effect on students' academic performance and the duration of their studies, it is important to ensure a healthy balance between study, work and having a social life. It seems that there is currently still room for improvement in Europe in this regard.

Education is the key that allows everyone to unlock their potential. Knowledge and skills are door openers to one's career of choice, increasing job security, income levels and job satisfaction. According to Eurostat, 87 per cent of people with tertiary education and 81 per cent of people with post-secondary level education are in employment. However, only 41 per cent of people with secondary-level education are in employment.

In its report 'Further and Higher Education Strategy 2020', the NCHE called for increased efforts to raise participation rates, and has since continuously monitored developments in the sector.

Mere student numbers are just one side of the coin. The other is the quality of student life. Can we improve the academic and social experiences of students in order to attract more people into further and higher education?

Education is a powerful tool for a country's economic and social development. Countries with few natural resources, like Malta, depend on their human resources to sustain their capacity for innovation and growth. This is all the more important in times of economic downturn as we are experiencing right now.

For further information on Eurostudent view www.eurostudent.eu.

Ms Scholtz is an officer at the National Commission for Higher Education.