The University of Malta is implementing the provisions of the Bologna
Process like numerous higher education institutions in Europe and in
the signatory countries. In some areas, such as the three cycle system
and a workload-based credit system, the University needed to make few
or no changes since it had already operated in this manner for a number
of years. It is taking action to implement all the other relevant
Bologna action lines.
For example, it has started to award its
graduates the Europass Diploma Supplement and plans to give it to all
graduates over the next two or three years. It is involved in the
development and organisation of a number of joint programmes, mainly at
Master’s level, with universities in the EU and in the
applicant/acceding countries. Through its academic staff and students
it participates actively in mobility programmes. The University is also
stepping up its efforts to ensure that its graduates are knowledgeable
in another European language besides English.
After harmonising
its undergraduate (first and short cycles) courses, the University is
currently reviewing its regulations for postgraduate and doctoral level
awards. In this way, the University intends to harmonise its provision
at these levels, keeping in mind European developments. Through this
exercise the University will also ensure that it is able to participate
fully in developing joint programmes and in awarding joint degrees.
In
the area of quality assurance, the University has over the years
ensured that its programmes compare favourably with courses in other
universities. To this end, it has always involved external examiners
from overseas universities (both visiting and non-visiting) in the
examination of its final year undergraduate students and in the
examination of dissertations and theses for second and third cycle
degrees. The University has also embarked on formal internal
self-evaluation with the support of foreign expertise to ensure the
quality and standards of its programmes.
Another topic under
discussion is how the University should respond to the emerging
economic needs of the country by providing relevant tertiary level
courses as well as by relating knowledge and research to the world of
work and the country’s social and economic development in order to
ensure that the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy are met.
Since
the funding of the University is almost completely dependent on the
Government’s annual subvention for both recurrent and capital
expenditure, the demand for more funds is constant, particularly to
keep its library and laboratory facilities up-to-date, to upgrade its
teaching and student support services, to maintain and further develop
its student information management system, to provide teaching and
research space suitable for the increasing student numbers and research
projects as well as to ensure that it staff salaries are appropriate
for the highly qualified staff it employs and seeks to attract.
The
Government has commissioned an independent study of the funding of
post-secondary and tertiary education and higher investment in these
areas has been strongly recommended, particularly as a result of the
growing student population at these levels. The Government is
responding favourably to the University’s requirements.
A
National Commission for Higher Education has been established in
September 2006 by means of amendments in the Education Act and serviced by a Secretariat for Higher Education. The functions of
the Commission include, among others, the vision and strategic
oversight of higher education; the expansion of higher education to
meet future requirements; funding and accountability; quality assurance
and accreditation; student choice and fair access. It is current
carrying out a consultation process to map the future development of
higher and further education in Malta.
Institutions:
National Commission for Higher Education
(NHCE) Old University Building, St. Paul's Street,
Valletta, Malta Tel.:(+356)21226862 Fax:(+356)21226056 E-mail:info@nchemalta.org Website:http://www.nchemalta.org
University of Malta University of Malta Msida MSD 06 Malta Tel.:++356 2340 2828 Fax:++356 21 336450 E-mail:intoff@um.edu.mt Website: http://www.um.edu.mt
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