Gibraltar Citizens Advice And University Sign Agreement To Support Student Wellbeing
Gibraltar Citizens Advice and the University of Gibraltar have formalised their existing collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening student wellbeing.
The agreement recognises the emotional, practical and financial challenges students may face, and aims to ensure they know where to turn for support.
A statement from the Citizens Advice Bureau follows below:
Gibraltar Citizens Advice and the University of Gibraltar today formalised their existing collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming their shared commitment to student wellbeing, with the support of the Minister for the University of Gibraltar, the Hon Pat Orfila MP.
The signing builds on the work already undertaken together to support students facing emotional and practical challenges. It recognises the importance of ensuring that all students, whether from Gibraltar or overseas, feel heard, understood and supported throughout their university experience.
Discussions highlighted the importance of listening to students’ concerns and creating an environment in which they feel comfortable asking for help. Alongside academic demands, students may face personal difficulties, financial pressures or the challenges of adjusting to life away from home. Having someone to turn to can make a meaningful difference.
Minister for the University of Gibraltar, the Hon Pat Orfila MP, said: “Nothing beats the compassion of human contact. Reaching out to our students to ensure their wellbeing will always be one of the most important things we can do as educators.”
At the heart of this collaboration is an existing, shared commitment to ensuring that students know they are not alone. Seeking support should be recognised as a positive step, and students should feel able to speak openly about the difficulties they may be experiencing.
Gibraltar Citizens Advice thanked the University of Gibraltar’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Catherine Bachleda, and the University’s management team for their compassion, engagement and commitment to student welfare, and Minister Orfila for her continued support.
The organisation also expressed its gratitude to its own staff and volunteers, whose dedication and empathy underpin its work in helping people through difficult circumstances.
Today’s signing formally recognises this established relationship and provides a foundation for its continued development. Through ongoing collaboration between the University of Gibraltar, the Government of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Citizens Advice, the aim is to strengthen awareness of the help available and encourage students to reach out when they need it.
The message to all students, whether from Gibraltar or abroad, is clear: it is okay not to be okay, and no one should feel they have to face their difficulties alone.
