The Gozo University Group said that is has proposed the idea of university lectures to be held via teleconferencing from the Gozo University Campus, however the proposal has “been rebutted by the University of Malta multiple times,” it said.

In a statement, the GUG said that having this option available for the following scholastic years would be truly advantageous, especially for lectures that are held on Friday afternoons.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic students around the world have resorted to continuing their lectures online which is also very convenient for both the lecturers and students.

The GUG pointed out that the Gozo campus is already equipped with the necessary equipment to provide these teleconferencing services and making the lives of Gozitan students’ easier.

During a meeting with the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, the students said that this issue was discussed and he was “nothing but supportive and informed us that he was ready to help us out in any way. All we needed was the backing by the University of Malta.”

“We are not asking that lectures are only to be held via online conferencing, the students said, “as the experience of being on campus, meeting new people and having live lectures is a great one.”

However, the option should be available for students to be able to attend the lectures through a teleconferencing service.

We think that having this option available for the students of our university would be a truly beneficial asset and would help many students in different situations.

“It is absurd that Gozitan students would arrive home on a Friday night at 10-11pm (depending on traffic) and barely enjoy 36 hours in a whole week with their families before heading back to Malta,” the GUG said.

Teleconferencing would also benefit part-time Gozitan students reading for their master’s who also work in Gozo during the week, it said.

The GUG highlighted the challenge for these students who have to commute to Malta right after work in order to arrive on time for their lectures in Malta, and back home again to arrive in the late evening. “Given this online option, they would have an easier time working whilst also getting an education,” it said.

Moreover, some students do not even have the means to rent in Malta and are forced to commute to Malta daily for lectures. The GUG added that, “these students can face multiple difficulties that can hinder their journey to university.” These students deserve to have an option like online teleconferencing.

“If a student is sick having the option to access online lectures at home would solve this problem of not missing lectures,” the GUG said.

The Gozo University Group concluded by saying, “we are aware that this idea is not optimal for every course at university and that there should be some type of flexibility, however if we start small and slowly integrate this option into the education system, it would be a great step forward.”

Permalink: Lectures via teleconferencing from Gozo Campus would benefit students – GUG