‘The Government Must Invest Seriously In Malta’s National University’, Says Partit Momentum

Partit Momentum has called on the Government to prioritise meaningful investment in Malta’s national university following reports of an €11 million deficit at the University of Malta.

The party said the situation highlights a lack of long-term planning and commitment towards higher education and research.

Momentum criticised the Government for attributing the shortfall to an increase in staff numbers and wages, arguing that this explanation ignores a wider structural issue.

Malta currently ranks at the bottom of the European Union in research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP.

While the EU average stands at around 2.2 per cent, Malta invests only about 0.6 per cent, the lowest level among member states.

The party said the issue is not staffing levels but a political choice that has resulted in chronic underinvestment in research and education.

Momentum also questioned the Government’s spending priorities, pointing to millions of euros spent on projects and promotional initiatives in recent years.

‘These include €4.5 million for a pavilion linked to Malta Vision 2050, €5 million annually for the Mediterrane Film Festival, and hundreds of thousands of euros on promotional campaigns and other initiatives’, the party added.

Momentum treasurer Carmel Asciak said the Government cannot claim there is no money for education while continuing to fund costly events and politically appointed positions.

He stressed that the University of Malta is a national public institution that invests in the country’s most valuable resource, the education of its people.

#MaltaDaily