A year have passed, and we are here again for yet another AGM, but this time it’s my turn to give a speech.
What a year it’s been. We started off our exec term with the longest meeting I have ever been part of; a meeting that took 5 hours. 5 hours of nonstop planning and discussion that now we can say was worth it. From there the work started, preparing for Freshers’ Week, Wicked Wednesday, ordering our freebies, various meetings with Ghal Ghawdex, having the chance to meet the Prime Minister with Joseph Mario by myside.
Eventually, Freshers’ Week arrived. A core memory for me was meeting up with some of you at my flat, dragging my friends with me, to prepare our tote bags. With Clive’s design we managed to create something different for our tote bag, filled with freebies and other promotional material that Krista scored for us. Freshers Week was a success, with the opening of Wicked Wednesdays taking place during the same week. This year we organised a total of four Wicked Wednesdays. Wicked is an event that helps to keep the community of Gozitan students living in Malta alive. Something that helps making living in Malta, far from your family, a bit better. Having something to look forward to at the beginning of the month. This being said, those Gozitans who cross every day and maybe was difficult for them to attend Wicked, an alternative event was created. This year’s events officer, Joseph, came up with the idea of Rizzu Saturdays.
This year a total of four Rizzu Saturdays took place, and all of them were a success. Its main purpose was to do something for Gozitans in Gozo. This helped a lot with creating a better relationship with Gozitan students. I would be at Ritz, where students would feel comfortable to approach me and start pouring their heart out regarding their life in Malta, what could be done better, and problems they had with transportation. Mid-event, I would open my notes app, and start writing down points to bring up during our next meeting. A particular point made to me during Rizzu was about the X300 bus route.
This leads me to the next part of my speech; transportation. Back in September, the X300 route was reintroduced. This was a good milestone for GUG and was achieved with continuous contact with Malta Public Transport, in particular Ivan. Although, reintroducing the X300 was great, and finally having its timetable on the MPT website, a lot of work is still needed to improve this situation, but now I will leave it in the hands of the new executive.
While talking about GUG’s milestones, I can’t not mention seeing the Wiseflow-On Campus exams taking place in Gozo, for the first-time last January. Something we worked on within the previous executive but are still proud of till this day. During this year, other meetings were held with UoM’s Registrar to try and achieve the next goal we had in mind. This being all online examinations, not just Wiseflow, to take place in Gozo. From the feedback we got, at the moment it seems a bit impossible, but knowing GUG’s power, this is something that will for sure be achieved in the future.
Moving on to the next topic of my speech is our beloved Christmas ball. This year’s Christmas Ball surpassed all expectations, both in the quality of the event itself and in its financial success, achieving the highest profit margin ever recorded for a Christmas ball. We could say that preparations started way back in May, where right after the AGM, Joseph and I were already brainstorming on which date is best for the ball and which band we want. From venue hunting, to booking our bands and DJs, sound preparations, agreeing on the stage and lighting, preparing the bar, setting up the photobooth, gathering sponsors till the very last day, the list goes on. However, in the midst of the chaos we found ourselves relaying on one another. The eve of the ball in particular reached the peak regarding preparations. However, at end of that day we gathered together for our annual secret Santa. The laughs shared that night made me realise that all will be okay for the day after.
An event that we brought back after five years and was a huge success was Gozo Week. Preparing everything in a short amount of time wasn’t easy but we managed. Multiple days filled with different types of events taking place in both Malta and Gozo. Our hard work did not go unnoticed, and this is clearly seen from the Kokka award that was awarded to us last Friday at KSU’s Kokka Night. Achieving this award during my last week within GUG made it extra special. I extend my gratitude to Joseph for his commitment to organizing this year’s events and for his patience in accommodating my preferences.
And, not just Joseph, but everyone within this exec. Eric’s patience for constantly arranging our posters, to Nathalia always taking her role very seriously and keeping GUG on track, Matthias Mercieca, even though with your busy lifestyle you try your best to manage your GUG duties, Matthias Fuzzy for managing everything MCAST is included in all by yourself, Elena always being there for what’s needed, Joseph Mario your dedication and the level of your financial work still amazes me, Krista always reaching out to sponsors and was able to achieve such a good results, Abigail how you present yourself is something I admire, I know you’ll have a promising future, and Chantelle I can say the exact same for you. Matthew and Presley Two hardworking youths that GUG would not be the same without.
Overall, it was an amazing year filled with various meetings, events, talks and more. I think not everyone understands the importance of student activism. Spending four years within GUG made me realise that. Thanks to this organisation I made friends for life, although most of you were already my friends being the same age as me, others I am so lucky that I got to cross paths with you all because of GUG.
To close off, I would like to thank my family. I apologize if sometime the stress of the work GUG brought overpowered me, but your help and the support got me through it. Not just for this year but the whole four years I’ve been in GUG. I would also like to say a big thank you to my friends, who I can say every event I organized as events officer in the previous years and now as president were always there, front row, ready to support me. I am eternally grateful.
To the incoming executive, I offer my sincerest well-wishes. May you lead with courage, integrity, and compassion, knowing that the legacy of GUG is in your hands. And to those who may not join us this year, I urge you to never lose sight of the power of student activism.
GUG, thank you for being the heartbeat of my university experience.
Christine Sultana
GUG President
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