Gozitan university students voice concerns about problems faced in Malta
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In a meeting with the Gozitan University Students Group (GUG), Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party, highlighted the fact that not everyone seems to be aware of the sacrifices made by Gozitan students, who either have to wake up very early to travel daily to Malta for their studies or have to find accommodation for the best part of the week in a flat, returning to Gozo for the weekend.
Arnold Cassola, Chairperson, Alternattiva Demokratika said: "Inevitably such an experience at a relatively early age helps to build up a sense of independence which empowers the Gozitan student to face with courage all the challenges which are part and parcel of living alone and independently, such as budgeting skills and money management, rental of accommodation, social or solitary life and public transport, to name just a few."
On their part, the GUG committee members mentioned the challenges as well as the lack of encouragement from certain official quarters with particular regard to the issues concerning public transport and the Gozo ferry. They also referred to the way some of the students were treated by the flat owners and to the fact that none of the Gozitan students were offered the opportunity to make use of the University Students Residence Centre. Foreign students are preferred by the University because they pay higher rental fees. The Gozo University Centre's library lacks a digital database of books available and students cannot access this information on-line. The need for a further extension of the video conferencing services the University Centre at Xewkija was also highlighted.
Arnold Cassola concluded by strongly recommending to the Authorities to listen to and react positively to the complaints raised by Gozitan students. He singled out in particular the Transport Authority. Due to delayed trips and/or lack of trips from Valetta and the University to Cirkewwa; students on many occasions have had to wait for the Gozo ferry for many hours in Winter. He added :" Gozitan students, who account for 10% of all the University students, are not demanding any special favours. They only expect to be treated with more respect as citizens who, after all, are a source of the nation's investment for the future. Everybody should agree that Gozitan students should not be treated as a second-class citizens."
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The meeting with A.D. was indeed a success - since when we became part of the GUG committee, our policy was to make our voices heard - and not longer answered by the authorities “not feasible”. For us, that answer is not feasible itself.
We all have a common concern about rights, so why not give us, Gozitan Students, our rights? Haven’t we got the right to arrive home safely and in time? Why can’t ADT listen to our queries and together we try to find a better service for Gozitan Students. Why cant we have all the facilities (as in concern to library catalogues) in the Gozo University Centre? These are just some points that we have dicussed in the meeting.
I’m sure that, us, as Gozitan Students, we are at University because we love to study and want to succeed in our lives and careers. That’s why GUG is there. For those of you who are Gozitans, visit our website, and leave an email with your queries - we’ll be looking forward to deal with it - and maybe why not, Solve it!
Anthony Briffa (GUG)
Indeed, as Anthony has rightly highlighted, the Gozitan student is faced with particular hardships that most of the time are treated as part of the package of having to commute or rent in Malta, when it is indeed not so as they can be discussed with the authorities and alleviated.
University is a life-changing experience wherein the Gozitan student is plunged from the warmth of a familiar environment to reality. As members of GUG we are here to ensure that the Gozitan student, which populates 10% of all University students is treated as deserved and not as a second-class citizen.
Charmaine Cordina
GUG President
I congratulate the GUG members for their successful work in voicing the problems of Gozitan students and encourage them to keep on doing so…
Yes, as already mentioned, we Gozitan students find it pretty hard to start a new independent life in Malta which unfortunately is not taken much notice of by the authorities. Travelling to and from Malta,living away from our family, paying a monthly rent together with living expanses and having to take care of our daily needs ourselves are in my opinion, the greatest hardships of being a Gozitan University student. I would really appreciate it and hope that in the near future these problems would be noted and tackled fairly by the Maltese authorities.
Marilyn Cremona
3rd year University student
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