The Organisation

Making changes easier – Tibdiliet maghmulin ehfef. This is the slogan adopted by the new executive of GUG whose main aim us to facilitate the lives of Gozitan students. This slogan reflects the changes in the Gozitan students’ lifestyle, which can be challenging at times.  

GUG (Gozo University Group) originated in the 1980s and was then officially recognised in 1987 as a student organization by the Senate of the University of Malta. Since its foundation, GUG has expanded to become more useful and flexible. It became the sole voice for Gozitan youths, students on campus and on a national level, doing its best to work for their interest and safeguard their rights The Group tries to cater for the particular problems and needs which students may encounter. 

It is affiliated to various committees and organizations including the Regional Projects Committee part of Ministry for Gozo, the KPS (Commission for Social Policy), the KNZ (Youth Council of Malta), Agenzija Zghazagh and the Gozo NGO Association. GUG is also striving to affiliate itself with other organizations on a European and global level.

Until recently the GUG has been using an office in Ghajnsielem’s school Wistin Camilleri Cauchi, kindly offered by the Minister of Gozo. It has also succeeded in acquiring an office at the Gozo Campus of the University of Malta thanks to the new Pro-Rector. Due to it’s substantial work in the scholastic year 2011-2012 it has also acquired an office in the Students’ House in the University of Malta Main Campus.

The GUG can also be found on Facebook. There one finds information and news on the Organization and also upcoming events. The updated website also includes information on available apartments in Malta for rent, so as to facilitate the transition of Gozitan students. Additionally, in the website one finds adverts of second hand books or things for sale which can be useful to other students. For more information call on 79256904 or sent an email on info@gug.org.mt.

This executive is trying hard to accomplish the projects set out in its agenda, to develop new ambitious projects and carry them out. Important values for this executive are impartiality and freedom of expression. Executive members come from different courses resulting in a team that has a wider view and diverse ideas. The Group, being a voice for Gozitan youths, promotes organizations and youths to plan for Gozo’s future. So as to meet the demands of all Gozitan youths and students, GUG attends important meeting, fully participates in discussions and gives its opinion in relevant public consultations.

Survey

In April 2012, GUG created a survey to gather direct and useful information about Gozitan students and their experience as students who study and live in Malta. The survey included questions on a variety of aspects which in a way or another affect the quality of life of each particular student. Some of the questions asked about which course they were studying, questions relating to transport, accommodation, financial grants and other activities. A number of results and conclusions from this survey are important as they show where more work needs to be done. These and other results serve to encourage the Group to continue working and solving problems which arise from these situations.

Gozo Liaison Officer

GUG requested that there should be an officer who directly addresses challenges which Gozitan students face in the Council of University Students (KSU). GUG, which represents around 900 University students (10% of all the students), believes that there should be more direct communication between the 2 organizations so problems are solved more efficiently. This was achieved through a proposal for the creation of the post of Gozitan Liaison Officer in the AGM of the KSU in March 2012. 

Gozo Campus / Exams in Gozo

GUG has always stressed and pushed for the need to invest more in the Gozo campus. A step forward was when Prof. Joe Friggieri was put in charge of the Gozo campus, as Pro-Rector. GUG also achieved the proposal for exams to be held in Gozo in May 2012, through months of hard work, pressure and discussions with the University Council.

Sub-committees

The GUG created a number of sub-committees so as to expand its reach. Students’ Voice was established as a semi-autonomous sub-committee for students at Sir Mikelangelo Refalo in Gozo. Other subcommittees were created for MCAST and ITS students. GUG is not planning in stopping there; rather it has a number of ambitious plans for these sub-committees.

Transport

In the wake of public transport reform, GUG did its best for there to be a route from Cirkewwa to University and vice versa, which would operate in line with the Gozo Channel’s schedule. It is worth mentioning that GUG pressured MITC, and it managed to acquire positive results. Another point is being worked on, that is to re-introduce a route similar to the previous route 450. Also contact has been made directly with Arriva management during a meeting organised with Parliament’s Social Policy Committee.

Arriva Report – GUG sent a number of questions to its members on how they were affected by the service of the new Arriva‘s route X1. GUG repeatedly contacted the officials responsible, to ensure the best service possible. Nonetheless, the organization praises the change of the service’s quality including the better buses and drivers’ behaviour, among other things. The questions asked were divided in a way to include all the aspects of the service and also the opinion of the students. From the results, which were published, the GUG can recognize that essential changes still need to be done through direct talks as to continue to improve the service.

Annual Events

GUG organizes and participates in a variety of activities of special nature or annual ones. Every year, GUG organizes a number of seminars and meetings of introduction. These are held to help new students to become more integrated in their new life in University. The annual meeting of introduction is held in the Ministry of Gozo where useful information is given and other University Students share their experiences.

One of the activities in which GUG participates is the International Cuisine Night in which students from different countries exhibit traditional food in their country. The organization also participates in the Environmental Week – a week in which GUG promotes the Gozitan environment and nature and also comments in favour of its sustainability.

Recently GUG worked together with JP2 Youths and Agenzija Zghazagh to organize a conference at Citadel about “Voluntary work in the Region”, in occasion of the European Year dedicated to Voluntary Work and the year dedicated to Youths of the United Nations. In this conference, 200 youths participated and a diversity of points was discussed. Some of these were; how it started, and what is the future of Voluntary Work in Gozo where many youths are given the opportunity to express their opinions on how to improve it. After all, voluntary work helps keep Gozitan society united. 

It is worth mentioning that next year, the GUG will celebrate its 25th year from its establishment. To commemorate this event GUG is organizing an event to re-unite its past members. 

Gozo Week

This year, GUG organised Gozo Week at the University Quad for the first time. For a whole week, one could notice six stands which portrayed Gozitan life. The events during the week were aimed at promoting Gozo and Gozitan culture. GUG organised a number of talks and debates regarding the current topics which affect Gozitan students and youths. GUG believes in youths being the driving force for the improving future of Gozo and aims to make them more aware of their role in society and urges authorities to take the same approach. On showcase, were also some examples of Gozitan talent which kept the students entertained throughout the week.

Student Grants

GUG is the only student organization providing support to Gozitan students studying at the University of Malta.    Knowing that student life in Malta posed a financial burden on students, the Group worked hard to obtain extra student supplementary grants for Gozitan students.  Discussions were held with the authorities concerned in order to give the same amount to MCAST and ITS students studying in Malta as that given to University students. For the first time students studying in Malta, are being given the amount of €400 every three months including both the accommodation and transport subsidy.

Conclusion

Finally one can say that this group had always an ambitious outlook, and its members always prioritized their love and dedication to Gozo, without personal interests. GUG believes in Gozitan students and youths. Hence it will do its best to eradicate the negative view towards volounteering which exists in some Gozitan youths and students. A lot still needs to be done, however GUG is united to work and hence achieve positive results. Gozo deserves better, and also its students.