2: Small but Complex: The Governance and Management of Public Higher Education Institutions – the Case of Malta

Authors:
Colin Borg
and
Carmel Borg
Publication Date:
25 Apr 2024
Pages:
21–42
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51952/9781529226522.ch002
Restricted access
Rights and permissions Cite this chapter
Buy article/chapter (
GBP  £20.00
)

This chapter examines the relationship between the geographical smallness of an island and its impact on the governance and management of public higher education institutions (HEIs). The University of Malta serves as a case study and as a basis for providing a commentary on the latest developments in this subject. The chapter also attempts to elicit comparative lessons from other small islands with similar conditions to Malta. Essentially, it reviews the small island realities of HEIs, as they strive to serve their island’s economic, social and cultural ambitions through predominantly public-sourced funds, while in parallel performing on a global higher education stage that is increasingly becoming more international, privatized, competitive and commodified. The ultimate outcome of this piece is to create a framework of the strengths, challenges and barriers that public HEIs in small islands experience. Their performance is tested against the benchmarks of efficiency, effectiveness and quality, which, in turn, are impacted by: the state’s overbearing presence in the financial and governing interests of the institution; national policies on education and beyond; an ongoing drive for massification of higher education; economic pressures and persistent demands from employers; transnational expectations, largely driven by employment targets; and sustainability issues.

  • Baldacchino, G. (2001) ‘Human resource management strategies for small territories: an alternative proposition’, International Journal of Educational Development, 21(3): 205–215.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2006) ‘The brain rotation and brain diffusion strategies of small islanders: considering “movement” in lieu of “place”’, Globalisation, Societies and Education, 4(1): 143–154.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2011) ‘The small state in higher education: a conceptual assessment introducing small states: typical, yet marginal’, Teaching in Higher Education, 16(4): 457–467.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2015) ‘Small island states and territories: vulnerable, resilient, but also doggedly perseverant and cleverly opportunistic’, in G. Baldacchino (ed) Entrepreneurship in Small Island States and Territories, New York: Routledge, pp 1–28.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2018a) Internationalisation at the University of Malta: Some Tables to Mull Over. Office of the Pro Rectors. Available from: https://www.um.edu.mt/media/um/intranetstaff/international/Internationalisation2018.pdf [Accessed: 14 July 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2018b) ‘Mainstreaming the study of small states and territories’, Small States and Territories, 1(1): 3–16.

  • Baldacchino, G. (2019) ‘The competitiveness of small states: insights on flexible specialisation’, Small States and Territories, 2(1): 41–54.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldacchino, G. (2020) ‘How it feels “on the ground”: the experiences of residents from a subnational island jurisdiction’, Small States and Territories, 3(1): 123–136.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Borg, C. (2021) The Governance and Management of Public Higher Education Institutions in Malta. Thesis submitted for the fulfillment of the PhD degree at the University of Malta.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Borg, C. and Mayo, P. (2021) ‘The lost generation? Educational contingency in viral times: Malta and beyond’, in I. Accioly and D. Macedo (eds) Educational Equality and Justice in the New Normal: Global Responses to the Pandemic, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, pp 99–112.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brock, C. and Crossley, M. (2013) ‘Revisiting scale, comparative research and education in small states’, Comparative Education, 49(3): 388–403.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chandra, R. (2011) ‘Tertiary education in Fiji: between globalisation, regional imperatives and national aspirations’, in M. Martin and M. Bray (eds) Tertiary Education in Small States: Planning in the Context of Globalisation, Paris: International Institute for Education Planning and UNESCO Publishing. Available from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000212196/PDF/212196eng.pdf.multi [Accessed: 8 August 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chittoo, H.B. (2011) ‘Public administration in small island developing states: a debate about the implications of smallness’, Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 11(9): 23–34.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • CollegeData (2021) College Sizes: Small, Medium or Large? Available from: https://www.collegedata.com/resources/the-facts-on-fit/college-size-small-medium-or-large [Accessed: 27 October 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Complete University Guide (2019) Percentage of International Students at UK Universities. Available from: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/international/international-students-the-facts/by-university/ [Accessed: 3 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Crossley, M. (2011) ‘Strengthening educational research capacity in small states’, in M. Martin and M. Bray (eds) Tertiary Education in Small States: Planning in the Context of Globalisation, Paris: International Institute for Education Planning and UNESCO Publishing, pp 101–118.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cutajar, J. (2014) Women and Political Participation in Malta. A paper commissioned by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Available from: https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/d/126803.pdf [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • De la Croix, D., Docquier, F. and Schiff, M. (2014) ‘Brain drain and economic performance in small island developing states’, in A. Artal-Tur, G. Peri and F. Requena-Silvente (eds) The Socio-Economic Impact of Migration Flows, Cham: Springer, pp 123–144.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Docuquir, F. and Schiff, M. (2008) Measuring Skilled Emigration Rates: The Case of Small States, IZA Discussion Paper No. 3388, March. Available from: https://ftp.iza.org/dp3388.pdf [Accessed: 8 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • EURASHE (European Association of Institutions in Higher Education) (2017) Position Paper on Permeability between Professional Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training: Making the Learners’ Journey Possible. Available from: https://www.eurashe.eu/library/modernising-phe/2017-EURASHE_Position-Paper_Permeability.pdf [Accessed: 30 November 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • European Commission (2020) Eurydice: National Policies and Higher Education Systems. Available from: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/higher-education-15_en [Accessed: 18 October 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • European Commission – Directorate General for Research (2010) Assessing Europe’s University-Based Research. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/document_library/pdf_06/assessing-europe-university-based-research_en.pdf [Accessed: 25 October 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eurostat (2019) Migration and Migrant Population Statistics. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/1275.pdf [Accessed: 14 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eurostat (2020) Population. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/population-demography-migration-projections/data [Accessed: 14 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ewing, L.A. (2021) ‘Rethinking higher education post COVID-19’, in J. Lee and S.H. Han (eds) The Future of Service Post-COVID-19 Pandemic, Singapore: Springer, pp 37–54.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Frédéric, D. and Rapoport, H. (2012) Quantifying the Impact of Highly-Skilled Emigration on Developing Countries, CEPR project, Fondazione Rodolfo Debenedetti. Available from: https://www.frdb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/XI-conf_Report-2_2009NEW.pdf [Accessed: 10 August 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Handforth, C. (2020) How Small States Can Benefit from Innovation. Available from: https://www.undp.org/blog/how-small-states-can-benefit-innovation [Accessed: 4 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) (2018) Study Projects Dramatic Growth for Global Higher Education Through 2040. Available from: https://monitor.icef.com/2018/10/study-projects-dramatic-growth-global-higher-education-2040/ [Accessed: 1 November 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lagi, R.K. (2020) ‘COVID19 – resilient education in the islands’, Higher Education Research and Development, 39(7): 1367–1371.

  • Martin, M. and Bray, M. (eds) (2011) Tertiary Education in Small States: Planning in the Context of Globalisation, Paris: International Institute for Education Planning and UNESCO Publishing. Available from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000212196/PDF/212196eng.pdf.multi [Accessed: 5 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) (2021) MCAST Celebrates the New Academic Year. Available from: https://www.mcast.edu.mt/2021/10/06/mcast-celebrates-the-new-academic-year/ [Accessed: 7 November 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • MFHEA (Malta Further & Higher Education Authority) (2021) Licensed Institutions. Available from: http://qualifications.ncfhe.gov.mt/#/institutions?institutionType=HIGHER_INSTITUTIONandsearch=true [Accessed: 6 February 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ministry of Education (Malta) (2019) PISA 2018 Results Confirm Steady Improvement in Maltese State Schools. Press Release. Available from: https://education.gov.mt/pisa2018/Pages/PISA-2.aspx [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • NSO (National Statistics Office) (2021) News Release on World Population Day. Available from: https://nso.gov.mt/en/News_Releases/Documents/2021/07/News2021_122.pdf [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nurse, L.A., Sem, G., Hay, J.E., Suarez, A.G., Wong, P.P., Briguglio, L. and Ragoonaden, S. (2001) ‘Small island states’, in J.J. McCarthy, O.F. Canziani, N.A. Leary, D.J. Dokken and K.S. White (eds) Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp 843–875.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • NCFHE (National Commission for Higher Education) (2016) Graduate Tracer Study: Final Report. Pembroke: National Commission for Higher Education.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • NSO (National Statistics Office) (2018) Population Statistics: Revisions (2012–2016). Available from: https://nso.gov.mt/en/News_Releases/View_by_Unit/Unit_C5/Population_and_Migration_Statistics/Documents/2018/News2018_022.pdf [Accessed: 21 July 2018].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Parliamentary Ombudsman (2017) Annual Report for the Period January to December 2017. Presented to the House of Representatives Malta pursuant to Section 29 of the Ombudsman Act, 1995, Malta: Office of the Ombudsman. Available from: https://www.ombudsman.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Annual-Report-2017.pdf [Accessed: 5 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Parliamentary Ombudsman (2018) Annual Report for the Period January to December 2018. Presented to the House of Representatives Malta pursuant to Section 29 of the Ombudsman Act, 1995, Malta: Office of the Ombudsman. Available from: https://www.ombudsman.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Ombudsman-Annual-2018-Web.pdf [Accessed: 2 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schiff, M. and Wang, Y. (2008) Brain Drain and Productivity Growth: Are Small States Different? Discussion Paper No. 3378, Bonn: IZA Institute of Labor Economics. Available from: http://ftp.iza.org/dp3378.pdf [Accessed: 8 December 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Scott, P. (2018) ‘Policy process in higher education’, in C. Shin and P. Teixeira (eds) Encyclopedia of International Higher Education Systems and Institutions, Dordrecht: Springer, pp 1–6.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sursock, A. (2015) Trends 2015: Learning and Teaching in European Universities, Belgium: European University Association. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279950904_Trends_2015_Learning_and_Teaching_in_European_Universities [Accessed: 6 October 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Times Higher Education (2021) World University Rankings. Available from: www.timeshighereducation.co.uk [Accessed: 24 October 2021].

  • Triki, A. (2018) Big Data in Research Impact. An analysis conducted by Clarivate Analytics.

  • UM (2021) Facts and Figures – Office of the Registrar. Available from: https://www.um.edu.mt/about/facts/ [Accessed: 5 February 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • UM (2021) Opening of Academic Year 2021–2022. Available from: https://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/news/2021/10/opening-academic-year-21-22#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Malta%20starts,be%20reading%20for%20postgraduate%20degrees [Accessed: 7 November 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) (2022) The Role of the University Consortium of Small Islands States in Sustainable Development. Available from: https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/2022/06/06/the-role-of-the-university-consortium-of-small-islands-states-in-sustainable-development/ [Accessed: 2 August 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • World Bank (2020) Research and Development Expenditure (% of GDP). Available from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS [Accessed: 25 October 2021].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • WPR (World Population Review) (2021a) Malta Population. Available from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/malta-population [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • WPR (World Population Review) (2021b) Cyprus Population. Available from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/cyprus-population [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • WPR (World Population Review) (2021c) Iceland Population. Available from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/iceland-population [Accessed: 29 January 2022].

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Content Metrics

May 2022 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 485 244 2
Full Text Views 0 0 0
PDF Downloads 0 0 0

Altmetrics