Government silent about other applications for foreign universities

The National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) may have given away more information than it should have earlier this week during a news conference on the controversial American University of Malta. 

In the news conference, called to explain the application for the accreditation of the American University of Malta by the Jordanian construction company Sadeen, commission officials said that they were currently reviewing a further two applications for universities.

NCFHE chairman Martin Scicluna and his colleagues confirmed that the commission was in talks with a total of three applicants who are seeking accreditation to operate a university in Malta.

While the application for the American University of Malta was submitted a few weeks before the government signed an agreement with Sadeen on 5 May, two other applications were submitted earlier, at the turn of the year.

However, citing confidentiality, the commission refused to divulge further details about who the applicants are and what kind of applications have been submitted. 

NCFHE officials present at the news conference skirted questions on the nature of the applicants and whether the commission is in negotiations with established educational institutions or construction or investment companies.  

Questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister over the identity of the other applicants and the size and nature of the proposed projects remained unanswered by the time of going to print.

But MaltaToday is informed that the NCFHE jumped the gun in informing the media that they are reviewing at least two applications beyond the one submitted by Sadeen. 

On Wednesday, Martin Scicluna addressed the media conference to clarify and set the facts clear on the Sadeen application. 

Asked by MaltaToday whether it would have been preferable and made the commission’s job easier had the government announced the Sadeen deal after the commission’s final decision on the proposed university, a cautious Scicluna said “I would rather not comment,” adding, “you know the pace of politics in Malta and the way in which we operate.”

Confirming that the commission is in talks with representatives of the Jordanian construction group, Scicluna said it was up to the applicant to convince the commission on whether they deserve a licence or not.

He added that while the government was not putting any pressure on the commission to grant the Sadeen Group a licence, “it’s their [Sadeen’s] business to satisfy criteria.”

So far, the NCFHE has accredited two well-established foreign universities, namely Barts and Middlesex University to operate in Malta.

On 5 May, the government and the group Sadeen signed a heads of agreement for the setting up of the American University of Malta. Land outside the development zone near Marsaskala, in the area known as Zonqor Point, has been earmarked for the €115 million campus for 4,000 students. 

This proposed project has irked residents, farmers, civil society and most notably government whip Godfrey Farrugia and his partner, Labour backbencher Marlene Farrugia. 

Among others, a new front calling for the protection of Outside Development Zones is urging the government to abide by the local plan for the South of Malta and reconfirm the designation of the entire Zonqor area as a national park where no development is to be allowed and where the livelihood of farmers is protected.