GUG Annual General Meeting 2025

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On May 4th, 2025, the Gozo University Group (GUG) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Sala Ġorġa Grech – Victoria Scouts Group HQ in Victoria, Gozo. Marked by an impressive level of attendance, the AGM underscored the continued growth and influence of GUG’s initiatives over the past year.

The meeting, chaired by Christine Sultana, opened with an address from GUG President Nathalia Borg. She recounted the year’s successes, beginning with a key innovation: the inclusion of summer events in the GUG calendar – something never done before – including the Bingo Booze BBQ event, a football tournament, and a clean-up at Ramla Bay that underscored GUG’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The president highlighted the exceptional teamwork and commitment that went into organizing Bingo, Booze, BBQ, which gave her confidence about the rest of the year.

Freshers’ Week followed with record-breaking membership numbers. The year featured popular recurring events like Wicked Wednesdays and Ritzu Saturdays, and also saw the introduction of new events such as Tequila Tombla at Ritz Bar and Sip N’ Chill at Coronation Bar. The president described the annual ball as a major highlight, crediting collective effort and thorough planning.

Gozo Week was another major milestone, including cultural activities, traditional games, a folk music performance, and a video offering practical advice to sixth formers. As part of Gozo Week, GUG also hosted a high-level discussion titled Bridging the Gap, which brought national attention to the issue of connectivity between Gozo and Malta. The event, which was also broadcast on RTK Radio, featured a panel of distinguished speakers including Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, Shadow Minister Alex Borg, Professor Arnold Cassola, and Perit Antoine Zammit. The discussion created a constructive platform for cross-party dialogue and expert input. Notably, it also saw the announcement of the opening of the tender for a fourth ferry vessel. Through this initiative, GUG reinforced its commitment to advocating for improved transport infrastructure for Gozitan students. The event not only highlighted the relevance of the issue but also served as a catalyst for continued national dialogue, as GUG emphasised that while progress has been made, further improvements remain necessary.

In closing, the President expressed gratitude to her executive team, pride in what they achieved, and personal growth through the experience, affirming that taking on the presidency was the right decision.

Following the President’s address, Gabriel Saliba, GUG’s Financial Officer, delivered the financial report, outlining the organisation’s stable financial position and reflecting positively on the year’s outcomes.

In line with its ongoing efforts to support students, GUG, in collaboration with the University of Malta Gozo Campus and the Xewkija Local Council, announced the provision of a dedicated study space at the Gozo Campus during the examination period. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to creating a conducive academic environment for students preparing for their assessments.

Another noteworthy development this year was the introduction of the X299 bus route, offering students a more efficient and direct transportation option.

Following the conclusion of her term, Borg officially passed on the presidency to Matthew Grech, formerly serving as International Officer. Grech is set to build on Borg’s achievements with a strong and promising term ahead. No elections were required for the formation of the Advisory and Vigilance Board, as Nathalia Borg, Eric Grech and Krista Spiteri were appointed to the positions.

The newly elected executive committee for the 2025/26 term is composed as follows:

• President – Matthew Grech
• Vice President- Gabriel Saliba
• Administration Secretary- Elenia Xiberras
• Information Secretary- Presley Clark
• MCAST Officer- Nina Magrin
• Public Relations Officer – Neville Grech
• Financial Officer – Malcolm John Caruana
• Social Policy Officer – Rachel Mizzi
• Marketing Officer – Nicole Portelli
• Education Officer – Neil Casha
• International Officer – Sasha Spiteri
• Events Officer- Katya Genuis
• Social Media Officer – Nesime De Battista

GUG extends its sincere appreciation to all individuals who expressed interest in contributing to the organisation and looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting students in the upcoming term.

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Il-Grupp Universitarju Għawdxin (minn hawn ‘il quddiem GUG) kellu l-laqgħa Ġenerali Annwali (minn hawn ‘il quddiem AGM) tiegħu fl-4 ta’ Mejju 2025 fis-Sala Ġorġa Grech, Victoria Scouts Group HQ, fir-Rabat, Għawdex. L-AGM rat parteċipazzjoni numeruża li tafferma l-influwenza tal-inizjattivi tal-GUG matul is-sena preċedenti.

Il-laqgħa, ippreseduta minn Christine Sultana, fetħet bl-indirizz ta’ Nathalia Borg, il-President tal-GUG. Fid-diskors tagħha, Borg rriflettiet fuq is-suċċessi tas-sena, notevolment l-introduzzjoni tal-avvenimenti fis-sajf fil-kalendarju tal-GUG fosthom il-Bingo Booze BBQ, it-tournament tal-futbol, u t-tindif fir-Ramla il-Ħamra li wera l-impenn tal-GUG lejn ir-responsabilità ambjentali. Il-President enfasizzat l-impenn u l-ispirtu ta’ tim li kien evidenti fl-organizzazzjoni tal-Bingo Booze BBQ fejn taha fiduċja għall-bqija tas-sena.

Freshers’ Week ġabet magħha numru rekord ta’ membri ġodda. Is-sena kienet immarkata wkoll minn attivitajiet rikorrenti bħal Wicked Wednesdays u Ritzu Saturdays, kif ukoll ġew introdotti avvenimenti ġodda bħal Tequila Tombla ġewwa ir-Ritz Bar u Sip N’ Chill ġewwa l-Coronation Bar. Il-President iddeskriviet il-Ballu annwali tal-GUG bħala wieħed mill-aqwa mumenti tas-sena, grazzi għall-ippjanar u l-isforz kollettiv tal-Grupp.

Gozo Week kien avvenimenti ieħor ta’ suċċess, b’attivitajiet kulturali, logħob tradizzjonali, mużika folkloristika, u vidjo b’pariri prattiċi għall-istudenti tas-sixth form. Waqt dan l-avventiment, il-GUG organizzat diskussjoni intelletwali bl-isem ‘Bridging the Gap’, li ġibdet l-attenzjoni nazzjonali fuq il-kwistjoni tal-konnettività bejn Għawdex u Malta. Id-diskussjoni, li xxandret ukoll fuq RTK Radio, kellha panel b’ kelliema distinti fosthom il-Ministru għal Għawdex Clint Camilleri, Shadow Minister Alex Borg, il-Professur Arnold Cassola, u l-Perit Antoine Zammit. Din id-diskussjoni ħolqot pjattaforma kostruttiva għal djalogu bejn il-partiti u input espert. B’mod partikolari, ġie imħabbar wkoll il-ftuħ tat-tender għar-raba’ vapur tal-Gozo Channel. Permezz ta’ din l-inizjattiva, il-GUG saħħaħ l-impenn tiegħu li jħares l-interessi tat-trasport għall-istudenti Għawdxin. Id-diskussjoni mhux biss wriet kemm hija relevanti din il-kwistjoni, iżda wkoll serviet bħala inizjattiva għal aktar diskussjoni nazzjonali. Il-GUG saħqet li għalkemm sar progress, hemm bżonn ta’ aktar titjib.

Fil-konklużjoni tagħha, il-President esprimiet gratitudni lejn it-tim eżekuttiv tagħha, esprimiet sodisfazzjon għall-kisbiet li saru, u tkellmet dwar it-tkabbir personali tagħha matul din l-esperjenza, u affermat li l-għażla li ssir President kienet waħda korretta.

Wara d-diskors tal-President, Gabriel Saliba, l-Uffiċjal tal-Finanzi tal-GUG, ippreżenta r-rapport finanzjarju, fejn enfasizza r-riżultati pożittivi miksuba matul is-sena.

B’konformità mal-isforzi kontinwi biex tappoġġja lill-istudenti, il-GUG flimkien mal-Kampus tal-Università ta’ Malta f’Għawdex u l-Kunsill Lokali tax-Xewkija, ħabbru l-provvista ta’ spazju ddedikat għall-istudju fil-Kampus ta’ Għawdex matul il-perjodu tal-eżamijiet. Din l-inizjattiva tirrifletti impenn konġunt biex jinħoloq ambjent akkademiku xieraq għall-istudenti waqt il-preparazzjoni tagħhom għall-eżamijiet.

Żvilupp ieħor importanti din is-sena kien l-introduzzjoni tar-rotta X299, li toffri mod aktar effiċjenti u dirett ta’ trasport għall-istudenti.

Sussegwentement Borg għaddiet il-presidenza lil Matthew Grech, li qabel kien jokkupa r-rwol ta’ Uffiċjal Internazzjonali. Grech mistenni jibni fuq il-kisbiet ta’ Borg b’terminu b’saħħtu u promettenti. Ma kien hemm l-ebda elezzjoni rigward l-appuntament tal-Bord Konsultattiv u tal-Viġilanza, fejn inħatru Nathalia Borg, Eric Grech u Krista Spiteri.

Il-kumitat eżekuttiv ġdid elett għat-terminu 2025/26 jikkonsisti minn:

• President – Matthew Grech
• Viċi President – Gabriel Saliba
• Segretarju tal-Amministrattiv – Elenia Xiberras
• Segretarju tal-Informazzjoni – Presley Clark
• Uffiċjal tal-MCAST – Nina Magrin
• Uffiċjal tar-Relazzjonijiet Pubbliċi – Neville Grech
• Uffiċjal tal-Finanzi – Malcolm John Caruana
• Uffiċjal għall-Politika Soċjali – Rachel Mizzi
• Uffiċjal tal-Kummerċ – Nicole Portelli
• Uffiċjal Edukattiv – Neil Casha
• Uffiċjal Internazzjonali – Sasha Spiteri
• Uffiċjal tal-Avvenimenti – Katya Genuis
• Uffiċjal tal-Midja Soċjali – Nesime De Battista

Il-GUG jestendi l-apprezzament sinċier tiegħu lejn kull min wera interess biex jikkontribwixxi għall-organizzazzjoni u jħares ’il quddiem biex ikompli l-missjoni tiegħu li jappoġġja lill-istudenti matul it-terminu li ġej.