KSU report lists opportunities for students if Malta joins EU

If Malta were to become a member of the European Union, Maltese students wanting to study abroad would need to fork out just a fraction of the cost of that paid by non-EU citizens to attend a European university, a report commissioned by the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji has shown.

A comparative example of five top British universities drawn up in the 77-page report shows that while the fee for an EU citizen to attend Oxford University would be £1,075, that for a non-EU citizen would cost between £7,400 and £18,000.

The report also concludes that EU nationals studying in Malta would not be entitled to stipends unless they, or their parents, paid tax in Malta, though EU students would be eligible to free tuition.

The report, 'The EU - possible scenarios and their effect on Maltese university students', which has been in the making for a year, was released yesterday.

KSU president James Scicluna said the report drew an objective and unbiased view of the impact of EU membership on the everyday life of university and post-secondary students.

Though the report does not reach any conclusions as to whether EU membership is beneficial or not, the bulk of its content lists several opportunities for students.

Dr Nicola Camilleri, the chairman of the committee that drew up the report and a recent graduate, said the report gave a detailed outlook on the opportunities available to students within the EU, and the scenario should Malta opt out of the Union.

The report concludes it is highly probable that the general standard of education would increase, as a greater proliferation of foreign ideas would be coupled with an increase in the standard of living that EU membership was likely to bring about.

Dr Camilleri said it was evident that educational and training opportunities for Maltese students would be significantly improved if Malta were to join the EU.

The report focuses on the recognition of qualifications necessary to facilitate freedom of movement between member states, professional recognition, rights of residence for students and equality between Malta and foreign students.

The report gives details of the EU educational programmes available for post-secondary and tertiary students upon membership - namely Socrates, Leonardo, Youth and the research framework programmes.

The report also refers to two other possible scenarios - that of a "special" agreement with the EU, and that of Malta as a third country.

It makes reference to Swiss students who are the only non-EU members with the right to attend universities in member states, while EU citizens may study in Switzerland.

However, it points out that the Swiss government must fork out all the "substantial" funds to administer the exchange programme.

By staying out of the EU, Maltese students would only be able to take part in sections of the programmes open to third countries.

One must also take into consideration, however, that part of the VAT accumulated and the Common External Tariff would be directed towards the coffers of the EU, the report said.

On stipends, the report states that the EU does not establish any entitlement to the payment of maintenance grants by the host member state on the part of students benefiting from the right of residence.

This means that foreign students will not be eligible to receive maintenance grants. However, this also means that they will not be requested to pay any fees for courses, unless the same fees are imposed on Maltese students.

Out of a total of 394 foreign students attending university, 69 are citizens of a European state.

With membership, the student pool of foreign students was most likely to increase and all these would, under the present system, be entitled to free university education, the report states.

Maintenance grants have recently been categorised as being social, rather than educational, grants.

Therefore, EU nationals would not be entitled to such grants unless they, or their parents, paid tax in Malta.

Reference is made to the European Credit Transfer System which facilitates the recognition of credits both locally and abroad.

Through participation in the EU programmes, the university will have access to funds and other forms of assistance, the report says.

The report also warns about two possible scenarios: an influx of students is unlikely to be matched by an injection of lecturers, due to Malta's relatively low standard of living. This may lead to a greater number of students per lecturer.

There could also be the possibility of a brain drain since higher wages in other EU member states might entice local lecturers to seek better pastures overseas.

The report states the Malta's accession process will inevitably affect the labour market as Maltese university graduates will find themselves in direct competition with their EU counterparts for the limited number of jobs available on the market.

The report also delves into the work conducted by the EU in various areas, such as employment and services.

Mr Scicluna said the KSU would be taking an official position on the EU in time for the referendum. Such a decision would be based on a series of reports, especially the one released yesterday.

He said the report should help students to reach their own conclusions on whether EU membership was ultimately beneficial for them.