The Students’ Charter outlines a unique relationship between the University and its students: as equal stakeholders in higher education. It illustrates the entitlements and responsibilities of both, as well as provides a framework for the University to develop and improve its services where appropriate. Furthermore, among students and staff, the charter promotes a spirit of courtesy, acceptance, consideration and team work. It values academic freedom, seeks equality of opportunity and encourages students to become involved in debates and decision-making at all levels.
The Charter goes a long way in addressing many of the problems which have been felt by sections of the university for a long time. Point 14 states that “The University will endeavour to shortly establish and promulgate a proper system for complaints and appeals”. This point in particular has been close to KSU’s heart for a long time, since the current ‘complaint’s system’ operated by the university is for the most part not formalized, and therefore usually depends on the concerned parties’ good will…a system that does not always allow for adequate redress of complaints.
Furthermore, among others, the university states that it will ensure examination results are published within reasonable time spans as well as ensure that students receive all information pertaining to their course of studies (e.g. course catalogues, timetables, regulations etc) in a timely fashion. Apart from this, it also guarantees that the campus will be made fully accessible to people with any sort of disability, that first aid facilities will be made available and that as far as possible, sufficient resources (such as enough chairs in lecture halls) will be made available for the efficient pursual of studies.
On the other hand, students’ are expected to act like students, i.e. Study! In a country where education is not only provided free, but where most students are paid to go to university, it is expected that you take the best advantage possible from this opportunity. This means that students are expected to attend all lectures, submit coursework on time and buy whatever books or notes you may require to get the best out of your course. Apart from this, they are expected to be a self-motivated, self-directed learner. This means that they are expected to look for opportunities to further enrich their knowledge and not just depend directly on material handed out by lecturers.
With regard to student associations and student representatives, the charter goes a long way in enhancing their official status on campus. Apart from recognizing KSU as the official student representative body (and the various faculty-based organizations as official representatives on faculty level), the students’ charter also specifically sets out KSU’s responsibilities towards the student and university and vice-versa. Thus, while KSU obliges itself to represent you at university, national and international levels, you are in turn expected to provide us with input so we can better represent you. In the meantime, university promises not to interfere with the internal workings of any student association on campus.
On the 23rd of September 2003, the Students’ Charter was finally approved by the university senate, albeit after changing the phrasing of the university’s obligations from “the university will” to “the university will strive to”. Nevertheless, this date will hopefully be remembered as the start of a new era in student/staff relations at university level in Malta.
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