(Adds University rector's appeal)
The University Students' Council (KSU) this morning called on UMASA, the trade union representing university lecturers, to lift directives which will force the postponement of first semester exams due in 10 days’ time.
KSU president Roberta Avellino, speaking at a noisy rally attended by some 400 students in the University common room, said the directives were disproportionate and unfair on students. They meant that exams would have to be held later in the year and in the summer, and they were particularly damaging to international students.
UMASA has directed lecturers not to hand in exam papers, as talks with the government on a new collective agreement continue to drag on.
Ms Avellino said said that both the trade union and the government were being stubborn, and the consequences on the students were unacceptable.
The government, she said, should deliver on its promise to invest in higher education.
The rally brought together all student organisations, including those on opposite sides of the political fence.
Among the banners displayed was one which said “Stop testing our patience, start testing our knowledge.”
Another, by the international students, read: “Delaying our exams equals our flights and second semester out of sight”.
The University of Malta administration in a reaction to the rally augured that it would be possible for negotiations between the stakeholders to restart, in the interest of the students themselves and all parties concerned.
"Time is very much of the essence in this issue. University exams normally start on the 17th January. It would still be possible to save the day should a solution to the impasse be found some four to five days prior to the established starting date, if exam papers are prepared in advance," the administration said.
"Should the stakeholders refuse to restart discussions and directives are not lifted, then the University Administration would need to explore the exams issue together with KSU and the Unions so that a way forward which is the least damaging for the students be mapped out."
University of Malta Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, said that he was in regular daily consultation with the parties concerned in order to chart the best way forward. He said he was convinced that all parties had the good of the University at heart and appealed for discussions to continue with immediate effect so matters may be resolved as soon as possible.