GUG Annual General Meeting 2023

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On May 7th 2023, the Gozo University Group (hereinafter GUG) convened their Annual General Meeting (hereinafter AGM) at the Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria, Gozo.

Owen Teuma chaired the meeting which began with an opening speech from the President, Estelle Scicluna, and was followed by her report. In her report, she recognized the success of GUG events, including their participation in Fresher’s Week, Wicked Wednesdays, and the reintroduction of the GUG Ball. She gave an honourable mention and appreciation to the entire executive for their efforts in making these events successful, particularly in preparing for the GUG Ball. Furthermore, Scicluna acknowledged that GUG was able to secure multiple sponsors in aid of the GUG membership card and other events carried out by the executive. Additionally, the Financial Officer of GUG presented a concise report highlighting the positive outcomes achieved throughout the year.

GUG’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the Gozitan student community was demonstrated through its 35th anniversary celebration, which included a special event for alumni. In collaboration with GħMU, GUG organized a public talk titled “Bejn Trampa u Kummiedja,” where guest speaker Ruben Farrugia gave an informative lecture about the Gozitan dialect, which is an important part of our culture and heritage. Furthermore, after years of brainstorming and inspiration, GUG has launched its first-ever set of podcast episodes, titled “Voice Out, Leħen Għawdxi fl-Universita’,” on GUG’s social media platforms and on Spotify.

Improving connectivity and transport options for Gozitan students was GUG’s main challenge this year, where the executive organized several meetings with stakeholders and government officials to address this issue. While GUG has made progress in facilitating transport options for Gozitans, there is still work to be done to ensure that students can commute to and from the University of Malta and MCAST with ease and efficiency. GUG is actively engaging with the Minister for Gozo, the University of Malta, and KSU regarding the Wiseflow on Campus issue. Despite past efforts to bring University exams to Gozo, the issue has reverted to Gozitan students having to take their Wiseflow on-campus exams in Malta. Although there is a promise to offer these exams in Gozo starting in February 2024, GUG will continue to fight for the rights of Gozitan students and address the ongoing problem.

GUG is pleased to report that in early April, two of GUG’s executive members travelled to Cyprus to establish connections with students from other countries for a potential student exchange initiative. GUG maintained strong relationships with various organizations such as Għawdix, KSU, KSM, and Gozo NGO’s Association. In fact, GUG was granted the chance to contribute a column in the magazine Illum. Furthermore, as part of the Għal Għawdex coalition, GUG collaborated with various Gozitan groups where through this collaboration, GUG’s Education Officer had the opportunity to meet with the President of Malta to discuss the future of Gozo.

Referring back to the agenda, each executive delivered a brief speech regarding their individual experiences during the 2022/23 term. During these speeches, the success of the GUG Ball, Wicked Wednesdays, and Fresher’s Week couldn’t be disregarded. It is worth noting that this year, GUG had an increased presence at Sir Michelangelo Refalo 6th Form, hence the organisation was present for the Fresher’s Week of the University of Malta, MCAST (both the MCAST campus of Għajnsielem, Gozo and Raħal Ġdid, Malta) and Sir Michelangelo Refalo 6th Form, all of which were a huge success.

Two important amendments were announced to GUG’s Statute. Firstly, the AGM must now be held between the first of May and the third week of May every year, ensuring consistency and clarity. Secondly, a new protocol has been introduced to ensure that resignations are preceded by a 2-week notice, in order to facilitate the smooth and efficient election of new members, both receiving unanimous approval from all attendees.

Subsequently, Scicluna handed her presidency over to her Vice-President, Christine Sultana, who will follow in Scicluna’s successful footsteps with a promising term ahead.

No elections were held with regard to the appointment of the Advisory and Vigilance Board, to which Owen Teuma, Monique Camilleri, and Estelle Scicluna were duly appointed. The new executive for the term of 2023/24 consists of Christine Sultana as President, Eric Grech as Vice-President, Nathalia Borg as Administration Secretary, Matthias Mercieca to remain as Information Secretary, Joseph Mercieca as Events Officer, Abigail Micallef as Social Media Officer, Matthias Refalo to remain as MCAST Officer, Joseph Mario Grech to remain as Financial Officer, Krista Spiteri as Marketing Officer, Presley Clark to remain as International Officer, Elena Curmi as Education Officer, Matthew Grech as Social Policy Officer and Chantelle Mercieca as Public Relations Officer.

On behalf of the GUG we would like to thank all those who showed an interest in forming part of our organisation and we hope to further aid students in our following executive 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 fis-7 ta’ Mejju 2023 fl-Oratorju Don Bosco, ir- Rabat, Għawdex.

Il-laqgħa kienet immexxija minn Owen Teuma u bdiet bir-rapport tal-President, Estelle Scicluna. Fir-rapport tagħha, hija rrikonoxxiet is-suċċess tal-avvenimenti tal-GUG, inkluża l- parteċipazzjoni tagħhom fil-Fresher’s Week, Wicked Wednesdays, u l-introduzzjoni mill-ġdid tal-Ballu tal-GUG. Hija tat aċċenn u apprezzament lill-eżekuttiv kollu għall-isforzi tagħhom biex dawn l-avvenimenti jkunu ta’ suċċess, partikolarment fit-tħejjija għall-Ballu tal-GUG. Barra minn hekk, Scicluna rrikonoxxa li l-GUG seta’ jikseb sponsors multipli b’risq il- GUG membership card u avvenimenti oħra mwettqa mill-eżekuttiv. Barra minn hekk, l-Uffiċjal Finanzjarju tal-GUG ippreżenta rapport konċiż li enfasizza r-riżultati pożittivi miksuba matul is-sena.

L-impenn sod tal-GUG biex jippromwovi l-komunità studenteska Għawdxija intwera permezz taċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-35 anniversarju tagħha, li kienet tinkludi avveniment speċjali għall- alumni. B’kollaborazzjoni mal-GħMU, il-GUG organizzat taħdita pubblika bl-isem “Bejn Trampa u Kummiedja,” fejn il-kelliem mistieden Ruben Farrugia ta taħdita informattiva dwar id-djalett Għawdxi, li huwa parti importanti mill-kultura u l-wirt tagħna. Barra minn hekk, wara snin ta’ brainstorming u ispirazzjoni, il-GUG nediet l-ewwel sett ta’ episodji ta’ podcasts, bit-titlu “Voice Out, Leħen Għawdxi fl-Universita’,” fuq il-pjattaformi tal-midja soċjali tal-GUG u fuq Spotify.

It-titjib tal-konnettività u l-għażliet tat-trasport għall-istudenti Għawdxin kienet l-isfida ewlenija tal-GUG din is-sena, fejn l-eżekuttiv organizza diversi laqgħat mal-partijiet interessati u uffiċjali tal-gvern biex jindirizzaw din il-kwistjoni. Filwaqt li l-GUG għamlet progress biex tiffaċilita l-għażliet tat-trasport għall-Għawdxin, għad fadal xi jsir biex l- istudenti jkunu jistgħu jivvjaġġaw lejn u mill-Università ta’ Malta u l-MCAST b’faċilità u effiċjenza. Barra minn hekk il-GUG qed tinvolvi ruħha b’mod attiv mal-Ministru għal Għawdex, l-Università ta’ Malta, u l-KSU dwar il-kwistjoni ta’ Wiseflow on Campus. Minkejja l-isforzi tal-passat biex l-eżamijiet tal-Università jinġiebu f’Għawdex, il-kwistjoni reġgħet lura għall-istudenti Għawdxin li kellhom jagħmlu l-eżamijiet tal-Wiseflow fuq il-kampus f’Malta. Għalkemm ġejna mwegħda li dawn l-eżamijiet jiġu offruti f’Għawdex sa minn Frar 2024, il- GUG se tkompli tiġġieled għad-drittijiet tal-istudenti Għawdxin u tindirizza l-problema li għadha għaddejja.

Il-GUG bi pjaċir jirrapporta li fil-bidu ta’ April, tnejn mill-membri eżekuttivi tal-GUG vvjaġġaw lejn Ċipru biex jistabbilixxu konnessjonijiet ma’ studenti minn pajjiżi oħra għal inizjattiva potenzjali ta’ exchange student. Il-GUG żammet relazzjonijiet b’saħħithom ma’ diversi organizzazzjonijiet bħall-Għawdix, il-KSU, il-KSM, u l-Assoċjazzjoni tal-NGOs ta’ Għawdex. Filfatt, il-GUG ingħatat iċ-ċans li tikkontribwixxi f’kolonna fir-rivista Illum. Barra minn hekk, bħala parti mill-koalizzjoni Għal Għawdex, il-GUG ikkollaborat ma’ diversi gruppi Għawdxin fejn permezz ta’ din il-kollaborazzjoni, l-Uffiċjal Edukattiv tal-GUG kellu l-opportunità li jiltaqa’ mal-President ta’ Malta biex jiddiskuti l-futur ta’ Għawdex.

B’referenza lura għall-aġenda, kull eżekuttiv għamel diskors qasir dwar l-esperjenzi individwali tagħhom matul it-terminu 2022/23. Matul dawn id-diskorsi, is-suċċess tal-Ballu tal-GUG, Wicked Wednesdays, u Fresher’s Week ma setax jiġi injorat. Ta’ min jinnota li din is-sena, il-GUG kellha preżenza fis-6th Form Sir Michelangelo Refalo, u għalhekk l- organizzazzjoni kienet preżenti għall-Fresher’s Week tal-Università ta’ Malta, l-MCAST (kemm il-kampus tal-MCAST ta’ Għajnsielem, Għawdex kif ukoll Raħal Ġdid, Malta) u Sir. Michelangelo Refalo 6th Form.

Tħabbru żewġ emendi importanti għall-Istatut tal-GUG. L-ewwelnett, l-AGM issa trid issir bejn l-ewwel ta’ Mejju u t-tielet ġimgħa ta’ Mejju ta’ kull sena, biex tiżgura konsistenza u ċarezza. It-tieni nett, ġie introdott protokoll ġdid biex jiġi żgurat li r-riżenji jkunu preċeduti minn avviż ta’ ġimagħtejn, sabiex tiġi ffaċilitata l-elezzjoni bla xkiel u effiċjenti ta’ membri ġodda, it-tnejn li huma ircevew approvazzjoni unanima minn dawk kollha li attendew.

Sussegwentement, Scicluna, għaddiet il-presidenza għal fuq l-idejn tal-Viċi President tagħha, Christine Sultana, li bla dubju, ser tkompli fuq il-ħidma ta’ suċċess li halliet warajha l-ex president, speċjalment meta nikkunsidraw l-avvenimenti ta’ suċċess u l-impenn sod biex jippromwovi l-komunità studenteska Għawdxija.

Ma’ kien hemm l-ebda elezzjoni rigward l-appuntament tal-Bord Konsultattiv u tal-Viġilanza, fejn inħatru Owen Teuma, Monique Camilleri, u Estelle Scicluna. L-eżekuttiv il-ġdid jikkonsisti f’ Christine Sultana bħala l-President, Eric Grech bħala il-Viċi President, Nathalia Borg bħala s-Segretarju tal-Amministrattiv, Matthias Mercieca ser jibqa fl-irwol tieghu bħala Segretarju tal-Informazzjoni, Joseph Mercieca bħala Uffiċjal tal-Avvenimenti, Abigail Micallef bħala l-uffiċjal tas-Midja Soċjali, Matthias Refalo ser jibqa fl-irwol tieghu bħala l- Uffiċjal tal-MCAST, Joseph Mario Grech ser jibqa fl-irwol tieghu bħala l-Uffiċjal tal-Finanzi, Krista Spiteri bħala l-Uffiċjal tal-Kummerċ, Presley Clark ser jibqa fl-irwol tieghu bħala l- Uffiċjal Internazzjonali, Elena Curmi bħala l-Uffiċjal Edukattiv, Matthew Grech bħala l- Ufffiċjal għall-Politika Soċjali, u Chantelle Mercieca bħala l-Uffiċjal tar-Relazzjonijiet Pubbliċi.

F’isem il-GUG nixtiequ nirringrazzjaw lil dawk li wrew l-interess sabiex jiffurmaw parti mill- organizzazjoni taghna u nisperaw illi ser inkomplu nkunu ta’ għajnuna lilkhom l-istudenti fit- terminu eżekuttiv li ġej.