Food for politicians' thought

In about a month's time Malta will have a new Cabinet. Both major political parties have made it very clear that education is a top priority. There are a number of areas that University academic staff and students would like to see improved and which should provide ample food for thought for all politicians.

University infrastructure - The infrastructure that our University needs in five to six years' time needs to be examined. It needs to be determined whether we need a new university campus. The whole of the Old University Building in Valletta, including the area occupied by Heritage Malta, should be given back to the University.

Collective agreement - If the collective agreement for academic staff is not concluded by the general election, it should be finalised as early as possible by the new government.

New programmes - The Government needs to assist the University to start new degree programmes that are required and that make our University more complete and attractive. New institutes, such as that on family affairs proposed by the Labour Party, need to be established.

Postgraduate courses need to be made available in all areas, including several aspects of medicine and surgery.

Postgraduate studies - Government grants for postgraduate students should be extended at least to all postgraduate science degrees and preferably to all those who wish to continue their postgraduate studies.

Upgrading of laboratories - A number of laboratories at the University need to be refurbished and properly equipped to meet today's standards.

University entry requirements - University entry requirements, especially in the science-based areas, need to be revised and probably raised to be equivalent to those of first-class European universities. Sixth forms and the Junior College should be assisted to ensure that students opting for Sciences are well-prepared. Special attention should be given to Mathematics.

Joint research with industry - There should be more incentives to promote research joint by between the University and local industry.

Promoting Science - The Faculty of Education needs to promote basic sciences to all its students so that all future teachers are able to present science attractively to children, preferably starting from kindergarten, and especially if a new preparatory year is to be introduced.

Work resources - The work resources grants need to be doubled. Every academic should be encouraged to attend at least two conferences every year related to their respective area of specialisation.

Erasmus exchanges - The Erasmus programme should be expanded, especially for Maltese students spending a semester abroad. The exchange of more academic staff should also be encouraged.

Energy and waste management - The University should continue to lead by example by promoting more energy-saving measures and waste product management, such as in the area of solvent regeneration which may be used in student teaching for training purposes.

Retaining and attracting staff - The University needs to lead in the employment conditions it offers to senior academic and non-academic staff whenever it is appropriate to encourage them to continue contributing to the University beyond retirement age. One also needs to attract the younger budding academics to the University's fold. Special incentives, such as those offered to attract women to work, need to be offered.

Links with MCAST - MCAST should seek the University's support to expand the services it offers and the University should assist MCAST to start degree courses and by sharing its facilities to avoid duplication of resources.

Amalgamation of MCST - The possibility of amalgamating the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the University should be carefully studied.

Research assistants and fellows - A number of research assistants and fellows should be recruited as early as possible. All departments should have at least one research fellow and at least three research assistants.

Technical advisers to ministers - University academic staff, including retired staff, should be appointed as technical advisers to ministers in their respective area of expertise, independently of their political inclinations.

EU-funded national projects - The University should be assigned the task of supervising the running of the national projects in time and within budget, especially those connected with the finances obtained through EU grants. These should not continue to be subject the Office of the Prime Minister's control. Hopefully, such a system would reduce the loss of grant money which often occurs due to the excessive bureaucracy so characteristic of the civil service.

Reduce bureaucracy, increase subsidiarity - Finally, the University itself should be assisted to reduce its bureaucracy to the barest minimum and to ensure that decisions are delegated to the lowest level possible. Continuous consultations and good communication should be the order of the day with political leaders as well as with all staff, students, industry and with society in general.

Adequate funding - All the above points can be brought to fruition only if sufficient finances are provided. The adequate provision of funds to the University should be considered as the best investment if we all really agree that education should be at the top of the priority list for any government.