Launch of a New Access to Education Initiative at the University of Malta

On 9 November, Dr Paul Downes (Education Department, St Patrick’s College) was the keynote speaker at a public seminar entitled 'Promoting Resilience in Education: Increasing access to post-secondary and tertiary education in Malta' organized by Dr Carmel Cefai, Director of the European Centre for Educational Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health at the University of Malta.  The aim of the seminar was to launch the University-led project which deals with increasing access to tertiary education from particular regions in Malta.

Professor Juanito Camilleri, University Rector, launched the access initiative at the seminar. Dr Downes’ presentation, ‘European perspectives on systems change to promote access to education’ was based on his research report on behalf of the Educational Disadvantage Centre, St Patrick’s College presented this year to the EU Commission, ‘A Systems Level Focus on Access to Education for Traditionally Marginalised Groups: Comparing Policy and Practice in Twelve European Countries’.  Key themes highlighted in the presentation included: the need for a community outreach strategy for the university to engage traditionally marginalized communities, for structural reform at university level to give voice and representation to these communities, to offer university campus facilities for free to community groups, for an access strategy commencing at primary level, for diverse entry routes into university and adequate academic and emotional supports for students.  Dr Downes is external advisor to the longitudinal study taking place as part of this University of Malta access initiative.

 

 

Last Updated: Monday December 05 2011