Sadeen given simpler accreditation rules for its ‘American’ university

Jordanian construction firm Sadeen, handpicked by the government for the construction of a private university on a natural park at Zonqor Point in Marsaskala, will benefit from easier rules to set up its ‘American University of Malta’.

A legal notice published on 8 May modified the Further and Higher Education Licensing, Accreditation and Quality Assurance regulations, to allow any “accredited higher educational institute” to become a fully-fledged university if the National Commission for Further and Higher Education deems it to be “in the national interest” – a criterion that will make it unproblematic for the NCFHE to green-light the AUM’s aspirations.

The new amendments also reduce the number of minimum fields from six to four, in which programmes leading to higher diplomas and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are offered.

They also remove the requirement to have at least four fields in which doctorate programmes are offered.

Sadeen Education Investment Ltd obtained its curricula from DePaul University in Chicago, in order to receive a license to operate the American University of Malta as an institution of higher education and, later, as an actual university.

Shadow education minister Therese Comodini Cachia told The Malta Independent that lowering the requirements helped “attract more investment in the education sector”, but that the NCHFE should enjoy enough independence and better resources for the onerous responsibility of ensuring high standards.

On its part the education ministry said that pluralism in higher education would lead to “sharper competition” and “a raising of overall standards.”