12th May, 2025
A damaging blow to reputation, students, and tax credit scheme
The news that Malta’s higher education regulator, the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), has been denied entry to the esteemed European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) is a deeply concerning development with significant negative ramifications for Malta. This failure to meet recognised European standards means that bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded by private Maltese higher education institutions are now at serious risk of not being recognised by accreditation bodies, universities, and employers across Europe.
This rejection by EQAR, a key indicator of academic credibility, directly damages Malta’s international reputation as a trusted destination for higher education. It will likely deter prospective local and foreign students from enrolling in local private institutions, impacting the sector’s growth and Malta’s overall attractiveness.
Momentum executive member Katya Compagno said, “This situation creates significant turmoil and uncertainty for current students, many of whom have invested substantial financial resources and time in pursuing their qualifications. The potential lack of international recognition for their degrees represents a major setback to their career aspirations.”
“It is imperative that the Maltese government and the MFHEA urgently address the shortcomings identified by EQAR. A comprehensive review and subsequent reforms are essential to restore confidence in Malta’s higher education quality assurance processes and to protect the interests of students and the nation’s academic standing.”
Furthermore, the EQAR rejection casts a shadow over Malta’s Tax Credit on Higher Educational Qualifications scheme. The incentive to pursue higher education at MQF Level 7 or 8 becomes questionable if the qualifications obtained are not internationally respected due to the regulator’s failure to meet European standards.
Katya Compagno,
Executive Committee, Momentum
