Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1032158
OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 SEPTEMBER 2018 8 IDENTIFYING one specific topic to write about is not easy task when it comes to KSU, the University of Malta Students' Council. One must keep in mind that in writing an opinion piece on a current domestic issue, anyone speak- ing on behalf of the Council is also rep- resenting its education and social policy commissions, which are composed of representatives from the whole student body who do not form part of the Coun- cil's Executive. The idea behind this is to ensure as fair a representation as pos- sible from amongst the entire student body. The KSU Freshers' Week 2018 is a week-long event which will surely serve as an opportunity to bring about, as well as promote, a number of chang- es in University, and society at large. This year's theme revolves around the thematic concerns of sustainability and mobility. This year, the Council has set in mo- tion an environmentally-conscious ap- proach in its day-to-day operations as well. The Council has located a num- ber of green areas around the Univer- sity of Malta and intends to plant more trees. There are also plans for the addition of a number of water fountains as well as an efficient approach in the upkeep of the current ones. The idea behind all of this is to raise awareness and foster environmental education amongst students, and re- mind them of the impact of their ac- tions. KSU will continue to work tirelessly on promoting recycling campaigns for University and beyond as it strives to be a beacon for change for the Maltese society, especially in this aspect. A pressing issue is, without a doubt, the ever-growing transport mobility problems to and from University. Over the past years, previous councils have worked on a number of measures to tackle this serious issue. Mobility is a multi-faceted problem, and there is no one solution which ex- ists that will make this problem disap- pear. KSU will continue to build on the re- markable work which it has already set in motion in previous years, and this year it shall further improve its car- pooling system by the introduction of a mobile phone application, which will contribute towards having a more us- er-friendly platform which will make it easier for students to utilise it. Further information on this will be available during Freshers' Week. A new service which will be introduced very soon is the car-sharing service, which is very similar to the previously introduced bike-sharing technology. A number of parking spaces all over Malta and Gozo have been allocated, and throughout the past months, KSU has been lobbying to also introduce this at University, thus contributing in the push against this problem. In addition to all of this, KSU shall be providing students with discounts on motorcycle lessons and motorcycles, and discounts on pedelec bikes. It shall also introduce a number of incentives for students using electric cars, and it shall introduce a park and ride system. KSU will be working on these incen- tives and a number of others through- out the year as it aims to offer to facili- tate the lift of every student who wants to contribute and be the change. KSU's job is two-fold, as it first needs to encourage students to be the change and secondly, to help them in their commitment when acting on such change. Change is never an easy task. KSU treats sustainability and mobility as two of its flagship projects as it strives to continue representing students to the best of its ability. It will continue working with the University of Malta administration, the Government, and NGOs to ensure effectiveness in its projects. Carla Galea is President of the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) The National Youth Council (KNZ) and its member organisations have been invited to submit opinion articles on topics affecting youths today. The contents of the article do not necessarily ref lect the opinion of the Council KSU welcomes University freshers Carla Galea KSU's job is two- fold, as it first needs to encourage students to be the change and secondly, to help them in their commitment when acting on such change