Mar 31 - Parliament Bill Sets out University Aims and Course Details
During yesterday’s meeting of Parliament, Education Minister Gilbert Licudi proposed a Bill for an act to establish the University of Gibraltar. In a move he had pledged to make various times over the past few months, the Minister touched upon a former Bill brought to the house, to appropriate £10 million for the University.
He further reported on the works being carried out at the site of the University at Europa Point, saying , ‘The existing buildings are being brought back to life in a way which not only preserves but enhances the heritage value of those buildings. An 18th century stone building with high vaults, will house the library, a computer suite for study and for online exams, a hall where conferences can be hosted and the administration centre of the University. There will be an outside courtyard surrounded by rooms for teaching staff and research students. The building known as the defensible barracks has ten vaults, which will primarily be used for teaching. Between the two main buildings a glass roof structure will be installed to create a large open atrium, which I expect will be a hive of activity for students.’
‘On either side of the atrium are two new constructions with a student cafeteria and a training kitchen for the faculty of hospitality on one side and a research laboratory for the faculty of life and earth sciences and a simulation suite for the faculty of health studies on the other. On top of the defensible barracks, the southernmost building, will be a restaurant which will be part of the faculty of hospitality but which will be open to the public. The restaurant will enjoy unrivalled and unobstructed views of the Straits and Africa. ‘
The Minister further touched upon the University’s Faculties, which, as previously stated, will include Health Studies and Sports Science, Business, Tourism and Hospitality and Life and Earth Sciences with Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies.
The Business school will include a variation of courses part of the University of London International Programmes. These will be a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance, a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management. In addition, there will be offered a diploma for graduates in Banking and a diploma for graduates in Accounting. All of these programmes are directed by the London School of Economics through the University of London International Programmes. Initially, these will be offered on a part-time basis through evening classes so they will be accessible to everyone in Gibraltar. ull-time programmes are expected to also be offered as from 2016
The Faculty of Business will progress to also offer computing courses as from 2016.
In addition, the Faculty of Business will offer courses in Gibraltar law and in Gibraltar tax. These will be taught over 24 weeks with a two-hour lecture each week.
The University of Gibraltar has consolidated the association and collaboration with Oxford Brookes University. Through that association, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality will offer throughout the year a series of practical programmes in hospitality culture. It is expected that the Faculty will progress to academic programmes as from 2016.
The Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences with Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies will incorporate two research institutes. The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences will deal with scientific research. The Institute of Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies will concentrate on research into social science themes. The Gibraltar Museum, the Garrison Library and the Gibraltar Botanical Gardens will form part of the research institutes and will be part of the extended campus of the University.
The Faculty will offer research courses leading to PhDs. The Government expects that up to ten PhD opportunities will be offered during the course of the first year. These will cover a wide cross- section of topics. They will include topics in areas such as Macaque Behaviour and Management, the Marine Biology of Gibraltar Waters and the Straits, the Modern Constitutional Development of Gibraltar, Neanderthal Life in and around Gibraltar, Football Crowd Policing and Behaviour and Responsible Gambling.
The Institute of Professional Development and Continuing Education will offer professional development for both the public and the private sectors. There will be short courses developed to meet industry needs as well as courses leading to professional qualifications such as Accounting Technician, the Institute of Legal Executives and the Chartered Management Institute. These will be expanded over time into other areas where a need is identified in consultation with relevant industry associations.
The Language Centre will concentrate on the teaching of English as a professional or business language. In order to be able to attract students from abroad to take these course, it will be necessary to be able to offer appropriate student accommodation. I therefore expect these courses to start during 2016.
The University will have the power in its own right and name to grant degrees, including research and honorary degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The Government has incorporated The University of Gibraltar Limited as the vehicle through which the University is being delivered and which engages staff and enters into contracts such as the contract for the construction works at the Europa Point site. The company is the operating vehicle for the University project. The shares of the company will be moved to the University via a seamless transition to a fully functioning and structured University as an independent statutory body.
Licudi further insisted during his Parliamentary speech that ‘in September, the University will open its doors to the whole community. The statutory framework, the building, the staff and the initial academic and professional development programmes should all be in place by then.’
He added that the University will create job opportunities in higher education ‘which have never been possible in Gibraltar.’
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