GUG Annual Meeting 2026

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On May 3rd, 2026, the Gozo University Group (GUG) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the 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 Nathalia Borg, opened with an address from GUG President Matthew Grech. He recounted the year’s successes, beginning with a key innovation: the inclusion of summer events in the GUG calendar. The president highlighted the exceptional teamwork and commitment that went into organizing Bingo, Booze, and BBQ, which gave him 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 GUG Saturdays and also saw the introduction of new events. The president described the annual ball as a major highlight, crediting collective effort and thorough planning.

Gozo Week was another major milestone, featuring cultural activities, a talk on “Djaletti u kliem Għawdxi,” traditional stands, a BBQ stand, a student-led video where university and MCAST students talk about their courses and real experiences, and many more. The event also had a panel discussion titled “The Future of Gozo: Employment and Opportunities.” The discussion examined key priorities, including growth sectors, EU and national subsidies supporting businesses, and strategic initiatives like skills development programs, remote working facilities, and youth entrepreneurship to advance Gozo’s economy. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Juergen Attard, Gozo Regional Development Authority; Mr. Daniel Borg, Gozo Business Chamber; and Mr. Michael Grech, Malta Enterprise. The event not only highlighted the relevance of the issue but also catalyzed continued national dialogue, as GUG emphasized that while progress has been made, further improvements remain necessary.

One of the first major initiatives undertaken by our new executive was the GUG Sports Weekend—an energetic and refreshing start to the term following a demanding exam period. These included a football tournament, sunset pilates, and a 5K run organized in collaboration with Gozo Run Social in aid of ALS Malta. Each activity was followed by informal social gatherings, giving students the chance to connect, strengthen friendships, and foster a stronger sense of belonging within the faculty community.

Another memorable activity was the GUG Annual Christmas Ball, a milestone event that reflected months of meticulous preparation and outstanding teamwork. This year’s edition raised the standard for the organization, offering an unforgettable experience through high-quality performances, top-tier entertainment, and a lively atmosphere throughout the night.A major highlight was the introduction of the first-ever open bar, marking a significant step forward in the scale and ambition of the event.

Budapest Trip: This year, we gave our members the opportunity to travel together on a short international trip. It was a fantastic experience that provided both cultural exposure and invaluable team bonding.

In closing, the president expressed gratitude to his 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, Malcolm John Caruana, GUG’s financial officer, delivered the financial report, outlining the organization’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 completion of a dedicated study space at the Gozo Campus during the examination period. This is a conducive academic environment for students preparing for their assessments.

Following the conclusion of his term, Grech officially passed on the presidency to Nicole Portelli, who formerly served as marketing officer. Portelli is set to build on Grech’s achievements with a strong and promising term ahead. No elections were required for the formation of the Advisory and Vigilance Board, as Gabriel Saliba, Malcolm John Caruana, and Neil Casha were appointed to the positions.

The newly elected executive committee for the 2026/27 term is composed as follows:

President – Nicole Portelli

Vice President – Elenia Xiberras

Administration Secretary – Sasha Spiteri

Information Secretary – Nesime De Battista

MCAST Officer – Jurgen Zahra

Public Relations Officer – Elena Vella

Financial Officer – Michela Caruana

Social Policy Officer – Luke Refalo

Marketing Officer – Elisa Feroleto

Education Officer – Francesca Muscat

International Officer – Josef Vella

Events Officer – Jake Vella

Social Media Officer – Maia Camilleri

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

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Fit-3 ta’ Mejju 2026, il-Gozo University Group (GUG) organizza l-Laqgħa Ġenerali Annwali (AGM) tiegħu fil-kwartieri tal-Victoria Scouts Group fir-Rabat, Għawdex. B’attendenza impressjonanti, l-AGM enfasizzat it-tkabbir kontinwu u l-influwenza dejjem tikber tal-inizjattivi tal-GUG matul is-sena li għaddiet.

Il-laqgħa, immexxija minn Nathalia Borg, fetħet b’diskors mill-President tal-GUG, Matthew Grech. Huwa rrefera għas-suċċessi tas-sena, billi beda b’innovazzjoni importanti: l-introduzzjoni ta’ attivitajiet tas-sajf fil-kalendarju tal-GUG. Il-President enfasizza l-ħidma f’tim u l-impenn straordinarju li saru biex jiġi organizzat il-Bingo, Booze, u BBQ, li tah fiduċja kbira għall-bqija tas-sena.

Freshers’ Week segwiet b’rekord ta’ membri ġodda. Is-sena kienet tinkludi avvenimenti popolari rikorrenti bħal Wicked Wednesdays u GUG Saturdays, kif ukoll l-introduzzjoni ta’ attivitajiet ġodda. Il-President iddeskriva l-Ballu Annwali bħala wieħed mill-akbar punti ewlenin tas-sena, filwaqt li attribwixxa s-suċċess għall-isforz kollettiv u għall-ippjanar bir-reqqa.

Gozo Week kienet ukoll pass importanti ieħor, b’attivitajiet kulturali, taħdita dwar “Djaletti u kliem Għawdxi”, stands tradizzjonali, BBQ stand, filmat immexxi mill-istudenti fejn studenti universitarji u tal-MCAST tkellmu dwar il-korsijiet tagħhom u l-esperjenzi reali tagħhom, u ħafna aktar. L-avveniment kien jinkludi wkoll panel discussion bl-isem “The Future of Gozo: Employment and Opportunities.” Id-diskussjoni eżaminat prijoritajiet ewlenin fosthom setturi ta’ tkabbir, sussidji Ewropej u nazzjonali li jappoġġjaw in-negozji, u inizjattivi strateġiċi bħal programmi ta’ żvilupp tal-ħiliet, faċilitajiet għax-xogħol remot, u intraprenditorija fost iż-żgħażagħ biex tkompli tavvanza l-ekonomija Għawdxija. Fost il-kelliema distinti kien hemm is-Sur Juergen Attard mill-Gozo Regional Development Authority, is-Sur Daniel Borg mill-Gozo Business Chamber, u s-Sur Michael Grech minn Malta Enterprise. L-avveniment mhux biss enfasizza r-rilevanza tas-suġġett iżda kompla jsaħħaħ id-djalogu nazzjonali, hekk kif il-GUG saħqet li minkejja l-progress li sar, għad hemm il-bżonn ta’ aktar titjib.

Waħda mill-ewwel inizjattivi ewlenin meħuda mill-eżekuttiv il-ġdid kienet il-GUG Sports Weekend—bidu enerġetiku u iġjeniċi għat-term wara perjodu ta’ eżamijiet impenjattiv. Dawn l-attivitajiet inkludew Tournament tal-Football, Sunset Pilates u 5K Run organizzat b’kollaborazzjoni ma’ Gozo Run Social b’risq ALS Malta. Kull attività kienet segwita minn laqgħat informali soċjali, li taw lill-istudenti l-opportunità li jsaħħu r-relazzjonijiet tagħhom u jkabbru s-sens ta’ komunità fi ħdan il-fakultà.

Attività oħra memorabbli kienet il-GUG Annual Christmas Ball, avveniment importanti li rrifletta xhur ta’ preparazzjoni metikoluża u ħidma f’tim eċċellenti. L-edizzjoni ta’ din is-sena għolliet il-livell tal-organizzazzjoni, billi offriet esperjenza indimentikabbli permezz ta’ wirjiet ta’ kwalità għolja, divertiment mill-aqwa, u atmosfera mimlija enerġija matul il-lejla kollha. Punt ewlieni kien l-introduzzjoni tal-ewwel open bar, li mmarkat pass importanti ’l quddiem fl-iskala u l-ambizzjoni tal-avveniment.

Fl-aħħar nett, il-vjaġġ lejn Budapest: din is-sena tajna lill-membri tagħna l-opportunità li jivvjaġġaw flimkien fuq vjaġġ qasir internazzjonali. Kienet esperjenza mill-aqwa li pprovdiet kemm esponiment kulturali kif ukoll opportunità prezzjuża biex jissaħħu r-relazzjonijiet u l-ispirtu ta’ tim bejn il-membri.

Fl-għeluq tad-diskors tiegħu, il-President irringrazzja lit-tim eżekuttiv tiegħu, esprima kburija b’dak li rnexxielhom iwettqu, u tkellem dwar it-tkabbir personali li kiseb permezz ta’ din l-esperjenza, filwaqt li sostna li d-deċiżjoni li jieħu r-rwol ta’ President kienet waħda korretta.

Wara d-diskors tal-President, Malcolm John Caruana, il-Financial Officer tal-GUG, ippreżenta r-rapport finanzjarju, fejn spjega l-pożizzjoni finanzjarja stabbli tal-organizzazzjoni u rrifletta b’mod pożittiv fuq ir-riżultati tas-sena.

Bħala parti mill-isforzi kontinwi tagħha biex tappoġġja lill-istudenti, il-GUG, f’kollaborazzjoni mal-Università ta’ Malta – Gozo Campus u l-Kunsill Lokali tax-Xewkija, ħabbret it-tlestija ta’ spazju dedikat għall-istudju fil-Gozo Campus matul il-perjodu tal-eżamijiet. Dan jipprovdi ambjent akkademiku adattat għall-istudenti waqt il-preparazzjoni tagħhom għall-assessments.

Fi tmiem il-mandat tiegħu, Grech uffiċjalment għadda l-presidenza lil Nicole Portelli, li qabel kienet isservi bħala Marketing Officer. Portelli mistennija tibni fuq is-suċċessi ta’ Grech b’mandat b’saħħtu u promettenti quddiemha. Ma kien hemm bżonn l-ebda elezzjoni għall-formazzjoni tal-Advisory and Vigilance Board, hekk kif Gabriel Saliba, Malcolm John Caruana, u Neil Casha ġew maħtura fil-karigi rispettivi tagħhom.

Il-kumitat eżekuttiv il-ġdid għat-term 2026/27 huwa: