The University Gozo Centre

The University Gozo Centre was set up in 1992 on the initiative of former Gozo Minister and now Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone.

The aim of the centre is to assist Gozitan students in the logistical aspects of degree and diploma courses, which are from time to time offered in Gozo by the University of Malta.

The centre also offers its own short-term courses and caters for the needs of Gozitan students following courses in Malta and Gozo. The centre organises social and cultural activities for the public.

The centre is housed in a building originally constructed in the mid-19th century which served for a time as an infectious diseases hospital and later as a mental hospital.

It was transformed into a university establishment - retaining its original structure - with the support of the Ministry for Gozo and inaugurated as a University Centre in May 1996.

The director of the centre is Professor Lino Briguglio, who is also head of the Economics Department at the University of Malta, and director of the Islands and Small States Institute at the Foundation for International Studies.

Professor Briguglio has done sterling work and his dedication and love for Gozo have been instrumental in establishing this centre and maintaining it on a permanent basis.

Despite the limited resources at his disposal, Professor Briguglio has transformed a vision into a reality. A good number of Gozitan students have already graduated after following courses at the University Gozo Centre, obtaining BA and B.Com. degrees.

An MA course has also been launched. This is an encouraging sign and clear evidence that the University Gozo Centre is making a very important contribution to Gozitan society.

The role the University Gozo Centre can play and the help it can offer to Gozitan students and society can be enhanced using modern technology. A virtual class at the centre started last October, where an IT diploma course is being run by the board of studies for IT using the Sixth Framework Project called Twister.

Students can attend classes simultaneously at the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering at Tal-Qroqq campus and at the Gozo Centre.

Unfortunately only three part-time students are benefiting from this project. When this course finishes in June 2006, no-one knows whether further courses are being planned. The University of Malta already has the necessary technology, but the system has to be modified to take more courses and events.

There are various methods to link the University with its centre in Gozo. This may be achieved with the support of Maltacom, who may help with its expertise and technical infrastructure.

The University Gozo Centre and the Ministry for Gozo should take this project up seriously and find the necessary funds, possibly from the EU, to put the link into practice.

As to short courses, since most of them are beginners' courses, they serve only as an introduction to the subject. Thus, the Lm35 fee is quite hefty, especially for students and senior citizens.

If the fee is established according to the demand for these courses, reason dictates that the lower the fee the higher the demand; thus the need for lower fees.

Another way the centre can increase its role and create a source of income is by taking up the role of a Gozo Summer University and offer short summer courses to foreign students in subjects such as Mediterranean studies, Maltese folklore and culture (including crafts such as lace making) and English language courses.

The idea was put forward by Professor Briguglio a couple of years ago during the presentation of certificates, but so far it has not materialised. The centre is already encouraging specialised areas of study where Gozo can contribute in a particular way.

However, it cannot implement all these projects on its own and the support of the Ministry for Gozo and the University authorities is needed. Public-private partnerships can also be considered.

Like any other organisation, the centre has two options, either to improve or to stagnate. Apart from the courses mentioned, it should widen its repertoire and encompass not only arts and business studies but also science and related topics.

The centre has the potential to become a hub of distance learning, where computer and video links can be set up not only with the University but also with other organisations such as the Institute of Health Care, the Medical School and other non-academic organisations, such as concert halls and lecture theatres.

This will obviate the need for Gozitan students to travel to Malta every day. It would also encourage Gozitans to participate virtually in presentations, lectures by visiting dignitaries, and even concerts and other cultural events.

The centre must act as an intellectual fulcrum to set forward these new ideas. In this way the University Gozo Centre will really be a regional campus.