June

Work to install multi-lingual direction signs around University

These were installed at several points around Campus during the summer months in order to aid freshers and international students around the University of Malta.

Provide child care services for student mothers

KSU is currently undergoing discussions with the University of Malta on the possibility of extending the opening hours and expanding the infrastructure of the childcare facilities to benefit more student mothers and academic/non-academic staff alike.

Strive to ensure that the stipends system remains one which will benefit all full-time Maltese and Gozitan students

Once again KSU ensured that for another year running, all full-time University students would benefit from the stipends scheme.

Organize a ball at the end of the academic year

The KSU Graduation Night was organized on the 5th December, 2009 at Renaissance, MonteKristo Estates.  The presence of Big Band Brothers, numerous DJs, firejugglers, photographer and keen attendance from University students ensured that this event will certainly not be forgotten.

July

Work to create a scheme by which bus tickets will be smart card refundable

KSU has set up various meetings with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communication (MITC) and the Student Maintenance Grants Board (SMGB) with regards the smart card refundability of bus tickets to University students, an initiative to which both Ministry and the Board agreed.

See that following the collective agreement with lecturers, these will provide a service of an apt and expected level

KSU is compiling a survey regarding University students’ academic life.  This survey will, through the help of professionals, help assess lecturer accountability in relation to the collective agreement points related to students.  This survey will be introduced at the beginning of April, and its results published after all data is compiled.

Establish a Control Commission with members from the academic body, KSU and the non-academic staff in order to ensure that regulations are being abided by

KSU proposed this to the Education Commission (KE) at the start of the academic year.  The Commission decided that need for such a Control Commission was not necessary so the project was cancelled.

Revision of the Examinations system:

• Commence a campaign to exert pressure for a reform of the examinations system through which this would become more just whilst ensuring increased accountability
• Exert pressure so that timetables will be published within a reasonable amount of time and that the length of the exams is appropriate for the work given
• See that the venue allocated for the examination is of an acceptable and necessary level
• Work for anonymity in all examinations

KSU incorporated all the points listed above in an Examination Report which was approved by the Education Commission, published in October and presented to the Minister of Education, Rector, Registrar and Pro-Rectors at the University of Malta.  The report is also available on the KSU website.  Feedback on the report and its repercussion was assessed after the January examinations session and KSU will push to better the situation for the May/June session.

Start discussion with the University Administration in order to make the University more accessible to persons with a disability

KSU is currently designing a map outlining all the accessibility routes around Campus.  This will be available on the KSU portal www.ksu.org.mt and will be presented at the KSU Annual General Meeting (AGM).

August

Conduct a study on the viability of a multi-storey car park for University.  This study will be presented at KSU’s AGM in 2010

Throughout the year, KSU has conducted research on the viability of a multi-storey car park in Car Park 6, next to the University’s main entrance, Gateway Building.  The idea is that the car park creates space for more than five hundred cars segregated between three different storeys.  This report will be presented at the KSU Annual General Meeting.

Provide a shelter for bikes at University

KSU has installed more than  fifty bike shelters at various points around University.  This initiative is part of KSU’s plan on the transport system at University which also includes the report on the viability of a multi-storey car park and the smart card refundibility of bus fares.  It is also aimed towards environmental consciousness.

See to it that the e-sims system is implemented in the Junior College for all JC students

KSU is currently awaiting confirmation from the Registrar’s office with regards the implementation and execution of an e-sims system at Junior College.

Ensure that the results of re-sits and revision of paper will be published within a reasonable amount of time

This manifesto point was incorporated in the Examinations Report published by the Education Commission in October.

September

Strengthen the cooperation and communication with the University’s Ombudsman and shall work so as to have regular representation of this office at University

KSU set up a meeting with the University Ombudsman during which KSU stressed the importance of the Ombudsman’s office on University premises.  The Ombudsman expressed his concern on students’ complaints and offered to meet up students monthly at the KSU Boardroom.

Office Allocations Report

The KSU Office Allocations Board published results of the corrected Office Allocations Regulations during a KPS meeting after which offices within Students’ House were assigned to student organizations who were eligible for them.

Strengthen the ‘You Complain, You Gain’ campaign through the use of technology in order to facilitate communication

An online complaints system was launched in the KSU website so as to facilitate KSU’s accessibility to the student population.  Moreover a set of ‘complaints boxes’ were installed around Campus so that apart from retaining their anonymity, students could also voice their academic complaints to KSU.

International Students’ Welcome Party

KSU organized a Welcome Party for international students arriving at the University of Malta.  The event was held at QBar, Valletta Waterfront on the 29th September, 2009.

See that there is better coordination for the local students going on Erasmus mobility exchange

KSU together with the University’s International Office organized the Erasmus Information Days on the 8th and 18th February, 2010.  The aim of these information talks is to provide local students with the necessary tools to consider Erasmus mobility exchanges and the benefits associated with them.

KSU Pre-Budget Document

The Economic Affairs Subcommittee compiled the Pre-Budget Document which was approved by the Social Policy Commission and published.

Work so that the principal games of the English and Italian leagues and the Champions League will be shown in the Common Room

KSU will be showing the final and semi-final games of the UEFA Champions League during the months of April and May.

Organize Campus Fest

This year’s Campus Fest was held after Freshers’ Week in an attempt primarily to join Frisk and Campus Fest and to show both freshman and other students Campus life at its best.  The event kicked off on Friday 8th October till Sunday 10th and featured an array of acts including the Big Band Brothers, Bletchley Park, Marylin, Dana, Dynamic Fudge, Dolls for Idols Red Electric and several local DJs such as Luc Funk, Stef B, Clayton J, Duncan F and Diego.

October

Organize an effective Freshers’ Week

As with every other year, KSU once again dedicated a lot of time, effort and resources to put up the best possible experience for freshers and non-first year students alike. This year, KSU faced a particularly important challenge due to the great number of student organizations that opted to participate in this event.  All students benefited from an influx of information, honed relationships with other new students and student organizations and took advantage of the several student offers available during the week.

Organize Frisk

This year’s Frisk was organized in conjunction with Campus Fest ensuring that welcoming students to the University of Malta would give a better overview to campus life.

Commence a system whereby lecture cancellations would be published on the KSU website and would be furthermore easily accessible through RSS notifications

KSU is curently undergoing talks with the University Rectorate and Registrar with regards having easier and more accessible notifications with regards lecture cancelations to students.

Shall work so that the Science laboratories will be equipped with better resources

KSU issued a report on the problems in the science laboratories, a report entitled ‘The Laboratory – a virtual lecture room’.  Through this report, KSU is aiming to receive feedback and ensuring that the necessary actions are taken to amend the situation.

Ensure that the system of regular meetings with student representatives is maintained and that a similar system for class representatives is started

Throughout the year, the KSU Education Commission kept a constant set of meetings with student representatives ensuring that KSU receives feedback from students through their representatives in the Faculty Boards.

Organize cultural excursions for international students

A cultural excursion was organized for Halloween for international students in Gozo where several outings were organized to orientate students with traditional Maltese culture.

Organize practical courses in First Aid and Sign Language

KSU worked in collaboration with DegreePlus to provide these courses to University students.  First Aid

Reaction to Budget Document

KSU on behalf of the Social Policy Commission issued a reaction to the Budget Document during the month of November.

November

Shall allocate 25, 000 euro for the creation of the Student Opportunity Fund for students that require specific financial assistance for expenses related to their course.  Amongst these are those students who wish to participate in conferences abroad, relevant to their course content

This scheme which was made available to students as aid to their studies was split into two phases for the first and second semester respectively.  For the first semester, 35 applicants benefited from it.  For the second semester, applications will be open till the 5th March, which applications will be available from the KSU website.

Create an online store on the KSU website

KSU is currently working on setting up an online store on the KSU portal in which students can benefit from the amount of services offered to them.

International Cuisine Night

This event was organized at the Lija Residence where international students from various countries prepared food stuffs native to their country of origin.  This created an element of intercultural diversity where students could relate with relate with each other in an informal environment.

Shall organize Careers’ Convention

For the sixth consecutive year, KSU organized Careers’ Convention, aimed at bridging together the gap between students and the working sector and to provide students with the necessary tools in preparation to a working life.

Shall create a Job Centre that will offer further information and job applications for both students as well as those freshly graduated

In an attempt to facilitate student searches for internships with renowned companies, this year KSU struck agreements with its corporate sponsors where a number of internships either during the academic year or during the summer months are offered tostudents who wish to increase their skills in the sector.

December

Shall push towards increased opening hours within the Stipends Office and set up a monitoring system to monitor the efficiency of the Stipends Office

KSU is currently undergoing discussions with the University Administration iwth regards the possibility of extending the opening hours of the Stipends Office on Campus.  In this way with increased opening hours, the efficiency of the office will increase since more students will benefit and be aided.

Shall once again organize the Christmas on Campus festivities

Together with the University of Malta and the University Chaplaincy, KSU has for the second consecutive year organized the Christmas on Campus festivities.  These year all collections were donated to Istrina, Dar tal-Providenza and Angels Children’s Home of Ethiopia.  A series of events were organized for two weeks on Campus aimed at generating a healthy Christmas spirit.

Party for Children with special needs

As part of the Christmas on Campus Festivities, KSU organized a party for children from the Preventive Care Unit.  This was held in the KSU Melita Common Room on the 18th December, 2009 where the children were given presents.

Health Awarness Campaign

One of the points in the workplan of the Health Subcommittee of the Social Policy Commission (KPS) is increasing health awareness on Campus.  Thus, a seminar will be organized on ‘Youth Empowerment Through Healthy Lifestyles’ on the 18th March, 2010.

Human Rights Awareness Campaign

During the month of December, KSU invited student organizations to participate in this campaign.  Throughout the day several activities on the Quadrangle and in the KSU Melita Common Room were organized to create more awarness on human rights and their influence on society.

Organize Singers’ Songwriters’ Showcase

Following the success of previous years, for the third consecutive year KSU organized Singers’ Songwriters’ Showcase.  This event was held at the Aula Magna on 13th November, 2009 and featured a wide range of artists who promoted their talents throughout the night.

January

Ensure that Gozitan students are given the opportunity to sit for their exams in Gozo

For the past two years, KSU has been in direct and continuous contact with the University Administration and the Ministry for Gozo with regards transferring examination sessions for Gozitan students to Gozo so as to improve accessibility to these students.  KSU has also worked closely with GUG (Grupp Universitarji Ghawdxin) on this initiative also through a survey compiled by the latter organization.  Although no solution seems close at hand, KSU will continue working ardently to ensure that this proposal is brought to effect.

Work to facilitate creative and artistic impression

Throughout the year through the Culture and Entertainment Office KSU has worked towards promoting student talents including a Potographic Ehibition which will be featured during the weekend of Students’ Fest.  This will incentivise photographers to capture Students’ Fest at its best and to promote their talents.

February

Shall invest in the creation of a Green Area at University along with the re-building of Students’ Hut

In an attempt to increase more study and chill-out areas for students, KSU equipped an unused area with benches, bins and wi-fi access ready for student use.  Moreover, KSU has undergone various talks with the University Administration, Precinct’s Office and Estates and Works in an attempt to re-build Students’ Hut.  Lack of the ideal space and necessary funding prohibited KSU to carry out this initiative.

Shall organize information seminars for Junior College students, which seminars will serve as an orientation at University

Between the 12th and 14th October, KSU organized a Faculty Convention for Junior College students.  This event was held at Junior College itself and consisted of a number of stands and information sessions to prepare JC students make better guided choices upon entry at the University of Malta in preparation to a working life.

Second Welcome Party for international students and End of Exams Bash

Since international students arrive at the University of Malta at a time when current University students are sitting for their examinations, KSU thought of joining the international students’ Welcome Party together with the End of Exams Bash.  In this way, international students will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with local students.

Shall work towards the possibility of once again having a KSU Carnival Float

After discussions on the feasibility of the float including logistical, financial and human resources with several third parties, KSU decided to redirect resources for more effective means.

Additional:

Work to ensure better student membership rates at the JC gym

KSU has held various meetings with the management of ActiveZone, a gym situated within the Junior College.  Through an agreement, ActiveZone management agreed to issue new reduced tariffs to University students including JC students for use of the sports facilities.

University page on the Sunday Times

At the start of the academic year, KSU had a series of meetings with the directors and editorial board of the Sunday Times of Malta regarding the possibility of having a page on the newspaper dedicated to University.  The aim of this initiative was to bring KSU closer to the student, to inform the student al all times of events happening on Campus and to promote student activism.  At present, twenty editions have been published with the numbers continuing to increase till the upcoming June.

KPS/KE Seminars

Belief in student activism and student representation led the Social Policy Commission and the Education Commission to organize these two seminars which were held in August and February respectively and which aimed at bringing together student representatives to share ideas and policies.

Student Organizations’ BBQ

This BBQ which was organized during the summer months for student organizations was held on the University Quadrangle.  The aim was for KSU to meet student organizations in an informal environment and for student organizations to become aquainted with each other and strengthen relationships for the oncoming year.

International Cuisine Night and One World Fair

The International Cuisine Night which was organized at the Lija Residence aimed to promote various foreign cultures, enable Maltese students to acquaint themselves with the backgrounds of international students who are studying with them, as well as facilitate communication and integration through the understanding of different cultures.

On the other hand, One World Fair which was organized on the 27^th October, 2009 in Students’ House encompassed a full day of events featuring exhibition of countries by various embassies, talks and debates by NCHE and other activities coordinated by international students.  Through this event, KSU strived to bring across the message of belief in the concept of cultural diversity and integration of communities each in promotion of their distinctive and unique culture.

Organization Days’

This year, KSU organized a week dedicated specifically to student organizations during the month of November, during which student organizations had the chance of re-exposing themselves to the student population, promoting their events and recruiting new members.