University of Malta dispute risks repeating the MCAST saga

Momentum notes the ongoing dispute currently unfolding between UMASA, the Union of Academic Staff at the University of Malta, the University, and the Government. The same worrying pattern that was experienced at MCAST only a few months ago.

At MCAST, government delays in negotiations led to a prolonged industrial dispute that dragged on for years, disrupted institutions and created uncertainty for staff and students. That experience should have been a lesson. Instead, it now appears that the same tactic of delay and silence is being used once again, this time at the University of Malta.

Arnold Cassola, leader of Momentum, said, “UMASA has made it clear that it suspended its directives in good faith while negotiations were ongoing, only to be met with a lack of response from the government. The reinstatement of directives is not the cause of the problem, but a symptom of a failure to engage seriously and respectfully with academic staff.”

Allowing disputes to fester undermines the governance, reputation and functioning of our national university. It also places unnecessary strain on staff and risks disrupting the most sensitive time of the academic year.

Cassola asks, “Are we really prepared to allow another long-lasting saga to drag on potentially into exam periods? Is this issue going to be passed on from the present rector to the new rector to be nominated in March? We sincerely hope not. Malta’s educational institutions deserve better. Our top academic minds deserve respect. Our students deserve stability, certainty and fairness.”

Momentum calls on the government to engage immediately, transparently and in good faith with UMASA, and to avoid repeating the mistakes made at MCAST. Respect for education is not shown through speeches, but through action, dialogue and timely decisions.

Tilwima fl-Università ta’ Malta tirriskja li tirrepeti s-saga tal-MCAST

Momentum tinnota t-tilwima li għaddejja bħalissa bejn l-UMASA, l-Unjin tal-Istaff Akkademiku fl-Università ta’ Malta, l-Università, u l-Gvern. L-istess xejra inkwetanti li esperjenzat fl-MCAST ftit xhur ilu biss.

Fl-MCAST, id-dewmien tal-gvern fin-negozjati wassal għal tilwima industrijali mtawla li damet għaddejja għal snin sħaħ, ħarbtet l-istituzzjonijiet u ħolqot inċertezza għall-istaff u l-istudenti. Dik l-esperjenza kellha tkun lezzjoni. Minflok, issa jidher li l-istess tattika ta’ dewmien u silenzju qed tintuża għal darb’oħra, din id-darba fl-Università ta’ Malta.

Arnold Cassola, il-mexxej ta’ Momentum, qal, “L-UMASA għamlitha ċara li ssospendiet id-direttivi tagħha in bona fede waqt li n-negozjati kienu għaddejjin, biss iltaqgħet ma’ nuqqas ta’ rispons mill-gvern. Ir-riintroduzzjoni tad-direttivi mhijiex il-kawża tal-problema, iżda sintomu ta’ nuqqas ta’ involviment serju u rispettuż mal-istaff akkademiku.”

Li tħalli t-tilwim jikber idgħajjef il-governanza, ir-reputazzjoni u l-funzjonament tal-università nazzjonali tagħna. Dan ipoġġi wkoll pressjoni żejda fuq l-istaff u jirriskja li jfixkel l-aktar żmien sensittiv tas-sena akkademika.

Cassola jistaqsi, “Aħna verament lesti li nħallu saga oħra fit-tul iddum potenzjalment fil-perjodi tal-eżamijiet? Din il-kwistjoni se tgħaddi mir-rettur preżenti għar-rettur il-ġdid li se jiġi nominat f’Marzu? Nittamaw sinċerament li le. L-istituzzjonijiet edukattivi ta’ Malta jistħoqqilhom aħjar. L-aqwa mħuħ akkademiċi tagħna jistħoqqilhom rispett. L-istudenti tagħna jistħoqqilhom stabbiltà, ċertezza u ġustizzja.”

Momentum jappella lill-gvern biex jinvolvi ruħu immedjatament, b’mod trasparenti u in bona fede mal-UMASA, u biex jevita li jirrepeti l-iżbalji li saru fl-MCAST. Ir-rispett għall-edukazzjoni ma jintweriex permezz ta’ diskorsi, iżda permezz ta’ azzjoni, djalogu u deċiżjonijiet f’waqthom.

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