A Public Letter On University Freshers Week by an International Student
As an international student, starting a full-time course in Malta, I would like to express my disappointment with the Freshers Week at the university. It was disturbing how this event was totally commercialised and not focused on its primary purpose. Walking around the area where the stands were set up, one got more free pens, pads, razors, advertisements from phone-companies, etc. than information about the different university-organisations. Seeing all these companies promoting themselves for the single aim of making profit, was not what I expected from the first days at the campus. Especially multinational companies like Nestle, which are known for their unethical operating procedures, should under no circumstances be invited. Deeper was my disappointment when I got to know that this event was organised by the University Students' Council, the body which, in theory, should give its utmost importance to students and students' organisations.
I believe the Freshers Week would be a greater success without all the companies trying to get new customers and encouraging us to consume (even more than we already do). In addition the actual aim of the week, as an information and orientation happening would prove satisfactory. The university should have enough resources to organise this event without the financial aid of these companies (especially since the Bank of Valletta and HSBC are very obviously represented on the uni-area).
It is a real pity that one has/had to face the reproduction of a commercialised society, in an institution which should have education and development of knowledge on top of their priority list.
Despite my disapproval of this first week of advertisement and commerce, I would like to mention, that the staff of the administration and the departments is very nice and helpful, which makes it easy to feel welcome.
I hope my concerns will be taken under consideration and there will be a merchandising-free Freshers week next year.
Comments
And the condoms issue
Vodaphone, also used a very good marketing strategy of giving condoms with their adertising. I say good marketing strategy because they knew that this would spark controversy. It worked and the name of Vodaphome was given a lot of free publicity not only from the pro safe sex people but also from church student organisations.
While I am in favour of a condom machine at Uni, I think this is a non issue. It's just a symbol since condoms can be bought from anywhere. I don't think there was a single student who practiced safe sex because Vodaphone gave him a free condom. Neither will anyone do so if there is a condom machine.
For me the whole (non)issue is sick.
Very true. It's a big pity
Very true. It's a big pity that the KSU is run by people with all the wrong intentions. The main aim of the Fresher's Week does not seem to be an attempt to make new students feel comfortable around the University, but rather an opportunity to publicise products and services that are already widely publicised 'ad nauseam' on the media.
The thing that disgusted me most, however, was a water fight between the law and architecture students on the last day of fresher's week, which was obviously authorised by KSU. Throwing a dozen water balloons would have been almost harmless, but hiring a water bowser and throwing all the water in it on each other's heads was a heretical waste, when taking into consideration that in 50 years time our freshwater reserve is definitely expected to be depleted.
Gaby.