Learn from the AUM experience, says Education Minister

The American University of Malta should serve as a learning experience, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said on Friday, insisting that the track record of educational institutions should be scrutinised well before they set up shop. The AUM has been making headlines since its inception. Earlier this year, its lecturers were dismissed days before the start of a new term and after the university had failed to attract the 300 students it had intended. Fielding questions during a press conference to announce a call for proposals for setting up an international school at the former Mtarfa hospital, Mr Bartolo insisted that any institution that sets up in Malta needs to have a “very good track record” and insisted that it must have extensive experience in the running of schools. Read: AUM hits back at critics, reports: 'project on track, new staff engaged' Asked whether he was insisting on such a track record in light of the failings of the AUM, the minister said that the government should “learn from” it. “I have no problem saying that we can learn from the experience, and it is important that we learn. I’ve expressed my views on the AUM several times in the past,” he said when...