The Malta Chamber of Scientists expresses its disappointment at the announced budget cuts at the University of Malta, which will certainly impact its research output and quality of education.

This strategy will also have negative consequences on the country as a whole since the University of Malta is a key player in Malta’s R&D landscape. Only a few months ago, government pledged to raise public funding of R&D to 2% of the GDP.

The Chamber is strongly opposed to cuts in research funding, as research is not a luxury, rather an important indicator of a developed nation’s progress, identity, society and culture. This comes at a particularly sensitive time, since R&D is a vital ingredient in boosting the economy and the country’s competitiveness following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chamber hopes that further cuts will not adversely impact other educational institutions as well as public scientific entities such as laboratories, which, like the University of Malta, already operate on restricted budgets.

The above is a statement was issued by the Malta Chamber of Scientists.