University confirms lectures to be held in person on campus

University students will start returning to campus on Monday after it was confirmed they will have in-person lectures during the upcoming school year.  In a statement, the University of Malta said new students will "enjoy" the traditional Freshers’ Week organised by KSU on the quadrangle with lectures then starting on October 11. "An opening ceremony to herald the new academic year will be held on October 4," the university said after a senate meeting on Thursday.  Because of the pandemic, university students were unable to return to campus last year and had to follow lectures online. Earlier this week, students called on the university to ensure this would not be the case again this year, especially since most students were now vaccinated.  There were also concerns over space issues since a number of lecture halls were taken up for pandemic-related activities. This includes the walk-in vaccination centre at the university's entrance.  "UM will make use of all available spaces to cater for students’ needs including the new lecture halls that were recently built at the Campus Hub.  "With some faculties having hundreds of students enrolled in their programmes of study, UM will...