The University Students' Council, also known in abbreviation as KSU, is a Maltese national students' union. It is the oldest extant student organization in Europe. The KSU was established by Arturo Mercieca, later Chief Justice Sir Arturo Mercieca, in 1901 as the Comitato Permanente Universitario, also previously known as University Permanent Committee. The students union is involved in students' national and international politics. The KSU represents Maltese students on a national and international level who attend:
The student organization 'Kunsill Studenti Universitarji' was founded in 1901.
Students' contribution
The organization promotes and recognizes students contributions, given at the University of Malta and other related education institutions, which represents. KSU is a forum where students may express their opinion not related to their studies. The KSU gives an opportunity to contribute to the University of Malta.
Electoral system
The electoral system is a first past the post one, whereby a block vote winning the majority of votes elects all its candidates, to the executive committee. This brought a system of block-voting between student organisations.
Aims
The KSU is an evolving organization. It finds its roots in a set of simplified objectives. Over the past century, since its foundation, the KSU has been working to:
Represent students in whatever issues concern them, whether it is on a national or international level;
Serve as an official link between students and the relevant authorities;
Achieve the democratisation of education in Malta;
Coordinate the activities with other organizations;
Cultivate an interest in students in the fields of education, socio-political and cultural issues and
Assuring the highest possible quality level in Higher Education.
On an international level, KSU is a full member of European Students' Union, the international union of students in Europe. The ESU represesents 45 National Unions of Students in 34 European countries, including KSU. It represents over 10 million students European students. It is regarded by the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the Bologna Follow-up Group, the European University Association and various other stakeholders in education as being the leading representative voice of students in Europe. Throughout the years various Maltese Students have formed part of ESU Committees. KSU is an official founding member of MEDNET.
Freshers' Week
Since 2007 the KSU welcomes freshers on campus at the start of every new academic year at the University of Malta. Every year the KSU encourages students to visit the University campus to meet their course mates, check out the company stands and get freebies.
Library hours
The library of University of Malta, in collaboration with the KSU's proposal, launched its extended hours to facilitate students with their studies. In 2013, the library hours were extended for the Health Sciences library, to increase the study areas available and accommodate more students.
Student organisations
The following is a list of students organizations at the University of Malta:
