https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121259 2026-06-26T04:56:35Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121340 Title: Faculty of Laws Newsletter : December 2022 : issue 3 Abstract: When I first joined the UM as a Resident Academic, Prof Kevin Aquilina told me that whenever I went abroad, including during recess, I had to fill in the ‘leave of absence form’ which today is available online from https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/secure/personnelrecords/AcademicLeaveform.pdf . At the time, I did not understand why this was necessary, my reasoning being that ‘holidays’ (as I thought recess time to be) were precisely so, but I followed his instructions. Nine years later, apart from the fact that at Senate meetings we are often reminded that full time Resident Academics are to fill in their leave forms, I have come to understand why we must fill in this form, even during recess. The reason is that ‘recess’ at UM means ‘no lectures’; staff are not ‘on holiday’ unless they book vacation leave, hence the need to fill in said form, especially when travelling. Myself, I have taken to filling in this form even when not travelling, so that ‘recess’ (or part of it) will be converted to ‘actual holidays’; I have actually written as reason for absence that ‘I am not travelling but I want a break from email and phone calls’. Nobody has ever objected to this, let alone disapproved by application; nor has anybody ever told me that I have exhausted my leave entitlement. That way I have been able to switch off my mobile and to not reply to emails during my holidays. Briefly put, there is absolutely no reason for one to not fill in the form in question, whether during recess or otherwise, even if we are travelling on UM-related business. On the contrary, apart from it being our obligation as UM full time resident academics to fill this form, a situation may arise where one may find themselves having to justify for example, why they were unable to attend a particular meeting or why they did not reply to an important email. One cannot simply say ‘it was holiday time’ because to be on justified absence from UM one has to fill in the Leave Form. 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121339 Title: Faculty of Laws Newsletter : Novwmber 2022 : issue 2 Abstract: Following a recent meeting with the University Rector and Academic Registrar, I am constrained to remind you all about the importance of preparing a Marking Scheme and Model Answer when submitting exam questions and assignments. Model answer may be in point form, and need not necessarily be a full and complete answer. The Marking Scheme must not only be prepared, but must also be used when carrying out the actual corrections. Ideally, every mark is broken down as per the marking scheme, and detailed records kept pertaining to every student. The question of ‘keeping detailed records’ extends to BOE meetings: Examiners must meet in person or remotely, and avoid decsions taken via email. Minutes should be taken and kept, of such meetings. It must be clarified that the model answer and the marking scheme are not intended for publication purposes i.e. are not to be divulged to the students, at least at this stage. On the other hand, if it comes to Revisions of Papers, they are to be provided to the Revising Examiner. It is to be kept in mind that the above are mandatory procedural requirements. A final point: BOEs are to avoid 44’s, which can arise where the method of assessment consists of multiple components. In fact even 43s and 42s are best avoided, but any change in mark (whether up or down) must be a BOE minuted decision and not arbitrary. 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121271 Title: Faculty of Laws Newsletter : October 2022 : issue 1 Abstract: As Dean, I take this opportunity in this first edition of the Faculty of Laws’ newsletter, to refer to recent discussions we had on ‘time controlled’ open book exams. I encourage you to challenge the students in their exams by presenting them with argumentative questions, and to grant students access as a minimum, to the relevant parts of the laws, especially if we are only talking about a few sections. 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z