Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/380554
MIRIAM DALLI STUDENTS studying English in Malta fund- ed by the Libyan government may soon be transferred to other countries due to alleged problems being encountered when trying to extend or renew their visas. In an email sent to the top five English lan- guage schools in Malta, the Libyan Cultural Affairs advises the schools to forward any outstanding invoices to settle any balances. "It is with deep regret that we are obliged to inform you that all students whose visas are due to expire, will not be able to extend or renew. Therefore, within a few months, there will cease to be any Libyan students studying English in Malta," the Libyan Embassy writes in an email seen by MaltaToday. While extending the "heartfelt gratitude" for the excellent services provided to the students, the Libyan Embassy said "recent changes" in immigration legislation has pre- sented obstacles for Libyan students, "pre- venting" them from extending and renewing visas. "Consequently, the Libyan Embassy in Mal- ta is actively seeking to transfer students to other countries," the email continues. Contacted by MaltaToday, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella expressed surprise at the news, pointing out that renewal or visa extension was a home affairs matter. "However, I am not aware of any changes to the legislation," the minister added. A spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Min- istry confirmed that no changes to the Immi- gration Act were made recently. "We are not posing any obstacles or stop- ping visa renewals. For security reasons, we are being more vigilant in that applicants prove that they are students. The extra vigi- lance is required in order to ensure there is no abuse," the spokeswoman said. Businessmen who expressed concern over the email said losing Libyan students would be a huge blow to the industry. According to one businessman, the loss per year for businesses would amount to about €6 million. "Normally the Embassy pays €2,500 per student per three months of intensive Eng- lish course. Generally Libyans would spend at least a year to be able to reach an acceptable level of English in order to further their stud- ies at university level. This means that the embassy would pay €10,000 for one person over a year," one businessman said. Another source added that many of these students generally remain in Malta to study at the University of Malta and obtain a degree which could cost anything between €10,000 and €20,000. The figure excludes living costs. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2014 News Embassy 'actively seeking' to transfer Libyan students to other countries expresslogigroup.com +356 21 221 999 Austria/Belgium/Bulgaria/Czech Republic/ Denmark/Estonia/France/Germany/Hungary/ Italy/Luxemburg/Norway/Netherlands/ Poland/Portugal/Romania/Spain/Slovakia/ Slovenia/Sweden/Switzerland INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT SERVICES • Dry, Refrigerated, Mega and Maxi trailers • Weekly transit times with multiple frequencies • Availability of equipment located at strategic hubs • Services throughout mainland Europe, UK and the East • Easy booking facilities with one simple step • Freight rates are simple and easy to apply • No hidden charges Bishops in joint prayer request BISHOPS from around the world will meet in Rome between 5 and 19 October for an extraordinary synod about the 'pastoral chal- lenges of the family in a context of evangelisa- tion'. "We encourage all Christians in Malta to join together in prayer so that the Church will be able to answer to the pastoral challenges that today's families are facing," Archbishop Paul Cremona, Auxiliary Bishop Charles Sci- cluna, and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said in a joint statement. Cremona has come under criticism in recent weeks, with several opinion writers citing his 'lack of leadership'. The Church's presbyterial council met last month to discuss the Church's lack of direction. According to reports, Cre- mona was not present at the meeting which was chaired instead by Bishop Scicluna. 'Il-Porporina' ends hunger strike PRISONER Alfred Bugeja, known as il-Por- porina, ended his hunger strike after going eight days without food. He reportedly went on hunger strike after he was denied prison visits on testing positive for drugs. Bugeja is still serving seven years in jail since he was last convicted in 2010 after ju- rors found him guilty of stealing a car and its contents, including a shotgun. Bugeja has 52 previous convictions on a criminal record that is 49 pages long. Prison sources said that Bugeja had tested positive for drugs and was now confined to Corradino Correctional Facility's Division 12. He had prison visits and delivery of food from home cancelled. In protest, Bugeja was said to have gone on hunger strike on Friday 5 September. As is normal practice, he was regularly monitored by prison staff and nurses at the CCF.