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The University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA) has issued a strong rebuttal to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana’s criticism that the university is not doing enough to secure its financial stability. During a live interview, Minister Caruana stated that the university needs to “pull up their socks and roll up their sleeves and generate income,” sparking a detailed response from UMASA. The association defended the university’s role and financial practices, highlighting its significant contributions to the country through education and research, serving over 12,700 students across various disciplines, with an estimated annual market value of over €150 million.
UMASA emphasized that the university operates within a government-funded framework, relying on taxpayer money to provide tertiary education, a national investment in human capital. The association noted that the university generates approximately €25 million annually from international student tuition fees and other revenue streams but argued that the remaining €125 million should be viewed as added value to society, benefiting the nation through education and research.
The university’s success in attracting external research funding was also highlighted, with €50 million secured in 2023 from national and international sources. These funds have supported employment, innovative projects, and state-of-the-art facilities like the Engineering Research and Innovation Laboratories and the Sustainable Living Complex. UMASA rejected implications of financial mismanagement, framing the government’s contribution as a partial reimbursement of the university’s rightful tuition-related income.
Instead of criticism, UMASA called for a more balanced assessment of the university’s value to Maltese society and urged the Ministry of Finance to offer constructive feedback. The association reiterated that the university’s primary responsibilities lie in providing education and conducting research, while exploring additional revenue streams through initiatives like its Knowledge Transfer Office and Language School. By reframing the discussion, UMASA seeks to emphasize the university’s vital role in Malta’s development and the importance of continued government support.
