University Students' Council (Malta)

University Students' Council

Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
Abbreviation	KSU
Formation	1901
Headquarters	Msida, Malta
Official language	Maltese, English
President	Steph Dalli
Affiliations	European Students' Union
Website	ksu.org.mt
Formerly called	Comitato Permanente Universitario

The University Students' Council (Maltese: Kunsill Studenti Universitarji), also known in abbreviation as KSU, is a Maltese national students' union. It is the oldest extant student organization in Europe.^[1]

The KSU was established by Arturo Mercieca (1878-1969), later Chief Justice Sir Arturo Mercieca (1924-1940), in 1901 as the Comitato Permanente Universitario, also previously known as University Permanent Committee.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

The students union is involved in students' national and international politics.^[7][8][9]

The KSU represents Maltese students on a national and international level who attend:^[10]

• The University of Malta
• The Gan Frangisk Abela Junior College
• The Medical School^[11]
• The Malta Centre for Restoration.^[12]

History

The student organization 'Kunsill Studenti Universitarji' (KSU) was founded in 1901.^[13][14][15]

Students' contribution

The organization promotes and recognizes students contributions, given at the University of Malta and other related education institutions, which represents. KSU is a forum where students may express their opinion not related to their studies. The KSU gives an opportunity to contribute to the University of Malta.^[16]

Electoral system

The electoral system is a first past the post one, whereby a block vote winning the majority of votes elects all its candidates, to the executive committee. This brought a system of block-voting between student organisations.

Aims

The KSU is an evolving organization. It finds its roots in a set of simplified objectives. Over the past century, since its foundation, the KSU has been working to:

• Represent students in whatever issues concern them, whether it is on a national or international level;
• Serve as an official link between students and the relevant authorities;
• Achieve the democratisation of education in Malta;
• Coordinate the activities with other organizations;
• Cultivate an interest in students in the fields of education, socio-political and cultural issues and
• Assuring the highest possible quality level in Higher Education.^[17][18][19]

European Students' Union

On an international level, KSU is a full member of European Students' Union (ESU), the international union of students in Europe. The ESU represesnts 45 National Unions of Students in 34 European countries, including KSU. It represents over 10 million students European students. It is regarded by the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the Bologna Follow-up Group, the European University Association (EUA) and various other stakeholders in education as being the leading representative voice of students in Europe. Throughout the years various Maltese Students have formed part of ESU Committees. KSU is an official founding member of MEDNET (Mediterranean Network of Student Representatives).^[20][21]

Freshers' Week

Since 2007 the KSU welcomes freshers (students) on campus at the start of every new academic year at the University of Malta.^[22] Every year the KSU encourages students to visit the University campus to meet their course mates, check out the company stands and get freebies.^{[23][24][25][26]}

Library hours

Extended Library Hours in 2013

The library of University of Malta, in collaboration with the KSU's proposal, launched its extended hours to facilitate students with their studies. In 2013, the library hours were extended for the Health Sciences library, to increase the study areas available and accommodate more students.^[27][28][29]

Student organisations

The following is a list of students organizations at the University of Malta:^[30][31]

• +9 Studenti^[32]
• AEGEE-Valletta - The European Students' Forum^[33]
• AIESEC Malta^[34]
• ASA - Arts Students’ Association^[35]
• ASCS - Association of Students of Commercial Studies^[36]
• Betapsi - Psychology Students' Association^[37]
• CommA - Communications Students' Association^[38]
• CSA - Criminology Students' Association^[39]
• DESA - Department of English Student Association^[40]
• ELSA Malta - The European Law Students' Association^[41]
• ESN - Erasmus Student Network^[42]
• ESO - European Studies Organisation^[43]
• Greenhouse^[44]
• GUG - Gozo University Group^[45]
• GħSK - The Criminology Students` Society
• GħSL - The Law Students' Society
• GħST - Theology Students' Association
• HOASA - The History of Art Student Association
• IAESTE - International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
• ICTSA - Information Communications Technology Students' Association
• INSITE - The Student Media Organisation
• JEF Malta - Young European Federalists Malta
• Kite Factory
• KNŻ - National Youth Council^[46]
• KSJC - Junior College Students' Council^[47]
• LOOP
• MADS - The Malta Association of Dental Students
• MHSA - Malta Health Science Student Association
• MIRSA - International Relations Students Association
• MKSU - University Students' Catholic Movement
• MMSA - Malta Medical Students' Association
• MOVE - Progressive Students
• Moviment Graffitti^[48]
• MPSA - Malta Pharmaceutical Students' Association
• MUFC - Malta University Film Club
• MUHS - Malta University Historical Society
• MUSC - Malta University Sports Club
• MUST
• OSQ – Organizazzjoni Studenti Qwiebel
• PULSE^[49]
• S-Cubed - Science Students' Society
• SACES - Society for Architecture and Civil Engineering Students
• SDM - Maltese Christian Democrat Students
• SĦS - Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali
• TDM2000 Malta
• TSA - Tourism Students' Association
• UESA - University Engineering Students' Association
• UMGS - University of Malta Geographical Society
• University Bible Group
• USTA - University Student Teachers' Association
• We Are - Students LGBT Organisation^[50]
• Y4TE - Youth For The Environment^[51]
• YouthCom - Youth & Community Studies Students’ Organisation

Presidents

• 2016/2017: Stephanie Dalli
• 2015/2016: Rebecca Micallef
• 2014/2015: Gayle Lynn Callus ^[52]
• 2013/2014: Thomas Bugeja
• 2012/2013: Mario Cachia
• 2011/2012: Stefan Balzan
• 2010/2011: Carl Grech
• 2009/2010: Carl Grech
• 2008/2009: Roberta Avellino
• 2007/2008: David Herrera
• 2006/2007: David Herrera
• 2005/2006: Anthony F. Camilleri
• 2004/2005: Paul Gonzi
• 2003/2004: Justin Fenech
• 2002/2003: James Scicluna
• 2001/2002: David Gonzi
• 2000/2001: Karl Gouder
• 1999/2000: Claire Cassar
• 1998/1999: Jacques René Zammit
• 1997/1998: Emanuel Delia
• 1996/1997: Emanuel Delia ^[53]

References

External links

• Official website

Member organisations of the European Students' Union (ESU)
Members	Armenia: ANSA Austria: ÖH Azerbaijan: ASYOU ASU Belarus: BSA Belgium: FEF VVS Bosnia and Herzegovina: USRS Bulgaria: NASC UBS Croatia: CSC Cyprus: POFEN Czech Republic: SKRVS Denmark: DSF Estonia: EUL Finland: SYL SAMOK France: FAGE UNEF Germany: FZS Hungary: HÖOK Iceland: SHI Ireland: USI Israel: NUIS Italy: UdU Latvia: LSA Lithuania: LSS Malta: KSU Netherlands: ISO LSVb Norway: NSO Poland: PSRP Portugal: FAIRe Romania: ANOSR Serbia: SKONUS SUS Slovakia: SRVS Slovenia: SSU Spain: CREUP Sweden: SFS Switzerland: VSS-UNES-USU Ukraine: UASS U.K.: NUS-UK
Associate members	ANSO ANSA EDSU ESN EDSA EMSA EPSA EUJS FEMYSO IAPSS IFMSA IGLYO ISHA OBESSU