As a new scholastic year approaches, the Gozo University Group has stated that Gozitan students are once again faced with the burden of travelling and moving to Malta for University and MCAST.

GUG said that it “strives to facilitate Gozitan students’ lives regarding both the commute and the new living situations upon commencing their tertiary education.”

In the past few months, GUG added that it has met up with a variety of Government Officials to discuss the difficulties “we as Gozitan students face on a day-to-day basis come the new scholastic year.”

GUG had a meeting with the Standing Committee for Gozo Affairs when issues such as the Fast Ferry and the “inconsistency of the 300, X300 and 150 bus routes were outlined; to which no updates have yet been announced, even though students have lamented the lack of punctuality or even instances whereby a bus does not even show up.”

On this same note, the GUG urged that the X300 should be available daily, so that students crossing on the Gozo Channel ferry would not have to rely on the X1 route “which is well known for its tardiness.”

GUG said it has also met with Jerome Caruana Cilia and Alex Borg regarding the amelioration of realistic issues being faced by Gozitan students.

It said that the topics mentioned include the rising rent prices, the subsidy to full time Gozitan students, the safety of Gozitan students, Stipend, the decrease in job opportunities based in Gozo, as well as added focus on the students’ mental health.

It was stated that with regard to the rise in rent prices, most students would have had to continue with their contract throughout the summer months, a time in which the flat is rarely in use, sometimes not at all, therefore needing to pay rent for the full year as opposed to paying for only 8/9 months out of the year.

This discussion led to the upcoming point regarding the subsidy given to full time students; that of €166.67. “It was upheld that such a sum is insufficient in covering the costs for rent,” GUG said. “It was agreed by those present that there should be an allocated sum to which each Gozitan student is privy to, but that there should also be an added subsidy to which students may apply for upon the presentation of a rental contract.”

Moreover, regarding the general subsidy, GUG said that a proposition was made to increase such sum and to continue its handout throughout the summer months, in cases whereby the rental contract is to continue during such time.

Another issue being faced by students is with regard to their safety upon crossing the Msida Skatepark after late-night lectures.

GUG noted that, “it had long been proposed that lights and security camera should be added in the tunnels so as to decrease the number of students risking crossing the main road above. Moreover, similar to the introduction of community policing, there should be a dedicated security guard stationed in the areas in front of the University and in front of the tunnel.”

A point was raised by Caruana Cilia regarding the introduction of a specialised person to assist Gozitan students who are faced with the changes etc related to their commencement into University. GUG said that, “Gozitan students are prone to such mental duress due to the change in routine and need to learn how to live by themselves.”

Such assistance should be offered at both University of Malta and MCAST, on a daily frequency for the first scholastic month and to be later decreased to 2/3 days a week per month later on in the year, they said.

Regarding the general stipend in receipt by every student in Malta, it was agreed that such a sum is “not enough to cover the costs of a student’s day to day living expenses, especially when taking into consideration the rise in prices. This is a particular burden to Gozitan students who, apart from having to keep up with a monthly rent, have other necessary expenses, such as groceries and commuting expenses.”

With regard to the EDU Fast Ferry card, GUG also mentioned in the meeting that no updates were given despite numerous emails imploring upon the situation. Moreover, upon the same topic it was held that should the card be reinstated, this should also include the Gozo Channel ferry for instances when the Fast Ferry is inoperative as is often the case during stormy weather.

Another point brought up by GUG in the meeting was in regard to lectures which commence very late on a Friday, leading to Gozitan students as well as Maltese students from the South of Malta, to arrive home very late at night.

GUG insisted that “this is particularly bad for Gozitan students who would have had to leave Gozo on Sunday evenings only to arrive back home late Friday nights.”

“It was suggested that part-time lecturers be given slots between Monday-Thursday, and if no other slot throughout the week is found for the late Friday lecture, then Gozitan students should be given the opportunity to make use of the Gozo Campus so as to join in the lecture virtually,” GUG said.

A further suggestion was that of the hybrid-lecture system. In such a hybrid system the choice between attending virtually or physically should be left up to the students.

It was also suggested that the Gozo Campus should be utilised more often, such as in cases of stormy weather when students are unable to cross back to Malta for the lecture.

GUG said that an added suggestion is to refrain lectures from being held at 8am on Mondays so as to accommodate for students who are unable to rent and would therefore need to cross daily. This could be beneficial to lecturers and Maltese students as well, in that one would be avoiding the 8am Monday traffic.

Also highlighted during the meeting was the decrease in job opportunities in Gozo. GUG said the result of which is that people tend to leave their courses and choose instead to work for the Government, in the hope of being located in Gozo for their placement.”

GUG noted that “those who do choose to continue on with their tertiary education, upon graduation then tend to move to Malta, albeit temporarily, since there are no appealing job opportunities available to them in Gozo.”

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