Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/817563
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2017 VI Careers American University of Malta – planning extensive growth Will the University be targeting foreign students rather than Maltese nationals? One of the primary goals of the American University of Malta (AUM) is to provide the opportunity for a liberal arts American-style education to those around the world who see the advan- tages of this style of higher education but may not have the means or the desire to travel to the United States to study. We've been visiting schools and attending student fairs around the world—and in Malta—talking about our university and why we think AUM and Malta should be a top considera- tion for students. More than geographi- cal location, we're focused on attracting students who want to learn, grow, and participate in this exciting educational opportunity. What is the difference between American-style education and European-style education? Will this difference be evident in AUM compared to the UOM and other European universities? Our curriculum is based on the Amer- ican liberal-arts model—and that alone makes us distinctive in the region. The question of 'what does liberal arts style education mean?' is a question we hear often. The roots of it go back to ancient Greece and Rome and has a fascinating history. In today's educational environ- ment, the basic tenants of study are: social and natural sciences, humanities and formal sciences and these make up what we refer to as the General Educa- tion portion of a students university degree. The advantages of this style of education are numerous. Primarily, it results in a well-rounded individual that leaves university being able to talk intelligently about a wide array of top- ics. It's also a perfect solution for stu- dents who may be uncertain as to the degree they want to seek to still be able to start their university career while having time to explore their options. How can you guarantee the university will provide a top quality education that empowers its students and provides them with the necessary skills to use not only in their professional career but also in their personal lives? As with all things in life, universities don't offer guarantees. We understand that some people might assume attending a start-up uni- versity is a big risk. We're looking for those who can see beyond the challeng- es and embrace the opportunities we offer by being a start-up. Our university offers not just the opportunity for a world-class education but a chance to lead, create, and to play an important role in building something that will be here for generations to come. It is an opportunity to say, 'I was part of that'. Learning by its very nature is trans- formative. If you want to think, act and be the same person in four years that you are today—AUM probably isn't the place to come. The American Univer- sity of Malta is committed to provid- ing our students with the opportunity to learn and grow both personally and academically. We've hired great faculty—and we've made sure we'll be able to provide a low student to faculty ratio. Why is that important? It means our students are not just another face in a crowded room. It means every single employee at AUM knows and cares about each students goals and their success. The university will open its doors in the fall and has already started welcoming applications. Could you give some more information regarding the programmes available? Of course. We have plans for exten- sive growth in our degree programs and areas of study in the next several years, but in the Fall of 2017 we are offering four degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Accounting; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; a Bachelor of Science in Game Develop- ment; and a Master of Business Admin- istration degree. Since parking is one of the main issues brought up by students studying at the University of Malta, how will you avoid having the same complaints? We are encouraging members of the AUM community to walk and make use of Malta Public Transport – in fact, currently, nearly all AUM employees walk to work. We have parking avail- able for students that will live in our residence housing in Tarxien and a shuttle service will be available to those students, to and from the Cospicua Campus at Dock 1. There are also plans for a sufficient parking area in the final phase this campus project . Will sports and recreational facilities be made available to all students studying at the AUM? Initially, the American University of Malta will be partnering with local organizations to fill this need, but yes, there are plans for these types of facili- ties for our campus in future stages of our project. Again, our students who live in university housing will have use of the gym that is there. In today's educational environment, the basic tenants of study are: social and natural sciences, humanities and formal sciences and these make up what we refer to as the General Education portion of a students university degree Learning by its very nature is transformative. If you want to think, act and be the same person in four years that you are today— AUM probably isn't the place to come