Memorandum : making our voice heard!

Abstract

As a Faculty we believe that the University of Malta is at a crossroads. Each Rectorate represents a new phase in the life of the Alma Mater and hence the need for us to come together in consultation and discussion, gathering and sharing our thoughts for the future. We feel, as a Faculty, that our biggest challenges and greatest strengths in our University stem from our commitment to be a much-needed voice within our communities, and to serve as a touchstone for society. In more ways than one, we have the responsibility to set, monitor and engage the national agenda. Telegraphically speaking, as a Faculty, we feel that University: 1. should be focused on democratising knowledge and providing a much needed empirical and evidence-based ‘voice’; 2. should be a safe space whereby all feel comfortable debating openly without any restrictions or limitations; 3. should use effectively our social, intellectual and physical capital for the benefit of the common good; 4. should apply ourselves to the principles of fairness, forgiveness, empathy, social justice, diversity and inclusion; 5. should use the talents, passion and qualities that we have as an Institution to keep nurturing our scholarship and commitment to the cause of academia; 6. should craft more spaces for our effervescent student body to engage in this community; 7. should savour our academic traditions but at the same time use contemporary and technological platforms to take our University forward; 8. should do more to note the undervalued contributions of our administrators, Research Support Officers, casual academic staff and part-time academic staff; 9. should internationalise, possibly even more, engage in ‘planetary’ concerns thus acknowledging issues related to climate change but also moving beyond the human-centric approach, thereby addressing, exploring and questioning our relationships with, and dependence on the environment, non-human others and technology and our Faculty should be delegated the leading role of exploring these ethical matters; 10. should be engaging in conversations about our relationships with technology, AI and how these are impacting on the social wellbeing of our communities; 11. should have a stronger presence on the media platforms with such valid and important contributions that our scholars and students master; 12. should develop a gender representation mechanism at all levels of University boards; 13. should consider a system where board composition is rotated; 14. should encourage more inter-FICS courses; 15. should use our ‘brand’ more effectually to share the University’s unique identity; 16. should ensure that ALL within the University structures are represented equally and fairly. We look forward to this important phase in the life of our University and hope that this document will serve to create a healthy and stimulating debate. Ultimately, by strengthening our Alma Mater we are supporting the wellbeing of our communities and society as a whole.