The billboards probably cost more than the stipend increase.

Do you realise that of the reasons we discuss politics is that there is nothing else to talk about?

When was the last time you met up with friends and someone asked ‘so what are you reading at the moment’?

Those cheering the government on can’t see the wood for the trees.

A few days ago a study published by U-Multirank confirmed that the University of Malta does relatively well in teaching but abysmally in all research related fields.

This means that the University of Malta is nothing more than a glorified school. It doesn’t foster innovation, inspire entrepreneurship or attract business and researchers to Malta.

So what this effectively means is that students are being paid €16 more to attend a substandard university. L-aqwa fl-Ewropa my foot.

A really progressive and liberal government would be boasting about REDUCING stipends with the eventual aim of eliminating them altogether except for the most needy.

All the money saved (most of the university budget in Malta is spent on stipends) would then be used on books, journals, equipment, research, foreign exchanges and other fruitful endeavours which give Malta and its students long-term gains rather than short-term and short-lived euphoria.

http://www.u-multirank.eu/#!/explore?trackType=explore&sightMode=undefined&section=exploreUniversityDetail&detailUniversity=252

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140514/local/university-high-marks-for-teaching-but-could-do-better-at-research.518999

Manwel Mallia has finally understood the importance of the question “kemm ghandek flus il-bank” – as opposed to the question “kemm ghandek flus taht is-saqqu.”

Following Labour’s defeat in the 1987 general elections, Labour lost its grip on public broadcasting.

Labour’s first priority was to have its own broadcasting services in order to continue brain-washing its supporters. This explains why today we are faced with a new generation of Labour supporters that are eager to relive Labour’s golden years.

Spot on.

It’s all about ‘kemm ghandek flus il-bank”. I recall one wealthy man saying who needs books, they don’t make you money.

Do you realise that if we stopped discussing politics, there would be absolutely nothing to talk about?

Jozef understands this. I know because he spoke about silence and the void.

Even more telling is people’s reactions to BA or B.Sc … “Allura x’taghmel biha issa din?” Or comments like “Avukat mal-gvern jaqla’ inqas minn electrician”.

An education is just a means to a better job and I use the word “job” deliberately.

Education as in knowing things purely for the sake of knowing things (and the “abstract” skill set deriving directly or indirectly from possession of such knowledge) is an alien concept to our culture.

The mindset stems from the language and literature of a people. I don’t want to denigrate Maltese language and culture, with which I intimately identify, but this is about calling a spade a spade.

Our level of existence tends to be “base” and unsophisticated and this tinges our opinions and endeavours across the board.

[Daphne – I so agree with you. And it spans the entire social spectrum: a utilitarian culture from top to bottom.]