The Gozo University Group has had an online meeting with the University rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, together with other staff members in relation to the re-opening of the next scholastic year within the University of Malta.

Due to the current situation with Covid-19 and the subsequent Health Authority guidelines, the GUG said that the number of students that can be present in the same lecture hall/classroom will have to be smaller.

GUG explained that during their discussion Prof. Vella mentioned three methods/ways which may be adopted once the University reopens:

1. The Physical Person System – A substantial number of study-units which are composed of small groups will be accommodated physically at University with enough distance between the students as required.

2. The PR System – moderate groups will be divided into smaller groups where one group would be following the lecture presently at University and the other group would be following the lecture remotely. It could also be the case that the remote component is not delivered synchronously at the same time but will be picked up at a later time.

3. Faculties composed of larger groups can only opt for a different manner of learning. The practical way of delivering lectures having large groups would be in an online manner, with smaller units such as tutorials and seminars taking place in person.

Each faculty will be decided upon separately, depending on the guidelines that are to be issued by the Health Authorities, GUG said.

The GUG spoke about the possibility of being able following lectures online, especially, it said, “in the case of vulnerable students and other students that have difficulty renting/ are financially disadvantaged.” The University rector, together with his staff promised to “delve deeper into this possibility.”

The potential introduction of teleconferencing through the Gozo Campus was also discussed. However, GUG said that “Prof. Vella rightly pointed out that the following semester will provide us with a clearer picture of whether the PR System proves to be an effective system or not.”

The University of Malta is still waiting for a meeting with the respective Health Authorities regarding the guidelines under which the University will operate.

The GUG concluded by saying that it is working hard at finding the best options for Gozitan Students as well as aiming at a better solution for Gozitan students renting in Malta.

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