“This is a significant agreement, because not only will the academics of the University benefit from it, but it will also have a positive effect on all of the students.”
This was stated by Minister for Education Justyne Caruana as she presided over the signing of the agreement between the University of Malta and UMASA – the University of Malta Academic Staff Association. The agreement provides for improvements in salaries and working conditions, and also covers various other areas related to the conditions and practices of the academics.
Minister Caruana spoke about the important role that the University of Malta plays in training students in the best possible way, both academically as well as in their personal lives. Speaking on the agreement, she highlighted its importance and said that, during the discussion period, various university issues and challenges were explored and addressed as a result of this agreement. In this way, academics will not only have better conditions, but the agreement will also have an impact on student life at the University.
University Rector Professor Alfred J. Vella said that this is a hallmark agreement, as it responds to the situation as it is today and as it may evolve, and that the University has worked to achieve an agreement which benefits the University, the academics and, above all else, it is an agreement which keeps the students at heart.
The president of UMASA – which is the only union recognised to represent the academic body within this tertiary sector, the University – Dr Jean Paul Baldacchino said that he is proud that the hard work by both parties culminated in an agreement that reflects the realities of the country, as well as the situations of the academics, who were among the first at the University to adapt their teaching to the needs of our society during COVID. He said that this is a good step, and that although there is still work to be done, he is confident that together the union and the University will continue to provide a good service to both the students and the country.
Also present for the signing were Karmenu Vella, Pro-Chancellor of the University, and UMASA’s Vice President Dr Ivan Sammut.
