Towards internationalisation

Last Monday marked the beginning of the University of Malta academic year 2002-2003. 'Towards Internationalisation' is the theme chosen for this year. It underlines the university's focus on the various activities that enhance its links with other universities and with students from other countries.

Most faculties have registered a steady increase in course applications and there were more applications listed as first preference choices than there were at the same period last year. This had totalled 3,509 in 2001, while the number for this year already stands at around 3,900.

The faculty of science has received 104 first preference applications as against 69 for last year. There were 312 applications for the faculty of arts, up from 251 last year. The faculty of economics, management and accountancy has attracted 991 applications, up from 950, while the number for law increased from 292 to 326 and that for medicine and surgery from 121 to 165.

Conscious of its public role, the university strives to create courses which are relevant and timely in response to the needs of the country. The following are some of the courses, which have been introduced at various levels in order to widen the areas of expertise offered by the university:

¤ The Master of Arts in Public Policy helps students understand the policy process from both a theoretical and a practitioner perspective.

¤ The Master of Arts in Economics of Competition Law is for students with a qualification in law, economics or a related subject. It includes studies in macroeconomics, philosophy of law and the principles of constitutional law, administrative law, civil law and commercial law.

¤ The Centre for Communication Technology is, this year, offering an MA in integrated marketing communications, as an evening course. This places the University of Malta among the first European institutions to offer such a programme. The course of studies is intended for students who have experience in, or wish to pursue careers with advertising agencies, public relations firms, marketing organisations, the media and other related fields.

¤ The Masters in Journalism integrates journalistic skills with organisational skills to allow the journalist to operate within a media management structure. A Diploma in Journalism is also being offered.

¤ The Bachelor of Planning (Hons) is for individuals in possession of a diploma in this field, while the Diploma in Baroque Architecture and the Pre-tertiary Institute Certificate in Baroque Architecture is for students interested in European Baroque heritage and its conservation. A certificate in technology education is being offered to participants nominated by the education division.

The university, of course, requires substantial funds to carry out its work. Certain courses, such as those in medicine and surgery, health, the sciences and engineering require a huge financial input because of the state-of-the-art equipment needed.

Other courses are expensive to run because of the sheer numbers of participants that they attract.

The university seeks to supplement the income it receives from public funds by identifying alternative means of financing. This may include direct methods such as fees from international students or contributions of the Malta University Services.

Indirect means, on the other hand, include cooperation agreements with foreign universities.

The international office assists international students by providing the required information and services both at the initial enquiry stage, as well as during the course programme. An orientation programme is held prior to the beginning of the semester to help international students get accustomed to life in Malta and at university.

There are currently over 500 full-time international students from some 78 countries. In addition, around 100 international students come to the university on semester exchanges.

The international office develops and monitors the ever-increasing links between the university and other institutions overseas. The university has several student and faculty staff exchange schemes through bilateral agreements and cooperation programmes between Malta and other countries such as the US, the UK, France, Italy, and Australia.

It is also a member of several international university networks. These include the Community of Universities of the Mediterranean and the Utrecht, Compostela and Santander networks.

Malta also participates in several European Union teaching, research and exchange programmes such as Meda, Socrates and Leonardo.

In the US, the University of Malta participates in student exchange programmes (such as Isep) with American universities. It is also a member of Nafsa (Association of International Educators) and CIEE (Council for International Educational Exchange). The CIEE offers University Direct Enrolment Service to the University of Malta.

The academic year 2002/3 marks the University's third year of participation in the Socrates/Erasmus Programme. The popularity of the programme among students and academics continues to increase and the university, through the Socrates Office, is constantly working to provide and update the necessary structures for the smooth running of this programme locally.

The number of bilateral agreements signed with different partner universities for the academic year 2002/3, provides placements for 314 students, in a very wide range of locations and subject areas. The academic staff will be able to benefit from 62 teaching placements and participation in the coordination of various Intensive Programmes, Curriculum Development Programmes at Masters Level and Thematic Networks.

Since the Erasmus Programme works on the basis of reciprocal mobility, a similar number of students and lecturers are being received on campus between this month and May.

Informational and socio-cultural activities are being planned to take place over the forthcoming months. Among these are the celebrations on October 25 for the one millionth Erasmus student, with activities taking place in Brussels and in all the countries participating in Socrates, including Malta.

Informational activities will be held in October and February - focusing on the new student intake and the organisation of the annual Erasmus Day activity.

The increasing student population calls for an enhanced infrastructure that can better fulfil demands. Various building projects are under way.

The University Multi Purpose Sports Hall, built to international standards, has already been used during the recent FISEC Games. It is currently the sports hall with the largest parquet floor in Malta and the only one where handball may be played on an international level.

Following the completion of the construction of the shell structure of the maths and physics building extension and the chemistry building extension, work is progressing on the finishes and installation of electrical and mechanical services, to be completed by the end of 2002. Fire escapes, smoke detectors, fire alarms and fireproof doors are being installed in the chemistry building to minimise hazards in this potentially high-risk area, while lifts in the new buildings will render them more accessible.

Furthermore, an audit of all existing buildings to assess accessibility is envisaged shortly. Other building extensions and infrastructural projects, such as those for Junior College, are expected to commence within the coming months.

A new state-of-the-art digital PABX system has been installed to enhance available lines efficiency in and out of the University.

During the past five years, the Computing Services Centre (CSC) has continued to develop the campus network infrastructure, upgrade connectivity from staff offices, improve availability of computer facilities on campus for students, and expand the support services offered to university departments, staff and students. The CSC was officially set up in 1997 as a dedicated body to support the university's growing reliance on IT.

During this summer recess, the CSC has been upgrading storage and server infrastructure. New networking equipment has also been installed and the university will shortly be connected to GEANT, the European high speed research and education network. This, together with video-conferencing facilities that are currently being set up, will provide the university with much improved connectivity for teaching, research and other collaborative work, both within the University itself and also with other universities.

At present, the CSC's main operating site is within the library basement. A new building has been targeted for the CSC that will enable the Centre to expand its operation and fulfil this IT support role for the University over the coming years.

Campus FM, the University of Malta's radio station is an important tool for the university's expansion of its educational mission. It provides a wider audience with a sample of the educational activity that takes place within the university.

Towards this end, students, lecturers and staff are being involved in the radio's operations and are contributing towards various productions and initiatives.

Campus FM is a training laboratory for University students. They may acquire broadcasting skills and master advert production, scripting for radio, voice projection, production of classroom aides and console training. Students also produce CD-Roms and voice-overs for video production.

The studios are fully equipped using the latest technology. However, students can work on the traditional reel-to-reel machines or else opt for digital audio recording and editing.

The use of the studios is free of charge for work related to academic studies, and audio technical officers offer the necessary technical support.

Campus FM transmits between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on 103.7 FM and it rebroadcasts the BBC World Service after 10 p.m. It is also available to internet users.

Ms Mifsud Bonnici is communications officer at the University of Malta.