“American University of Malta”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

The American University of Malta (AUM) is a private, American-style liberal arts college in Cospicua, Malta. The establishment of the educational institution was announced in May 2015, and the project was originally intended to regenerate the South of Malta and give said area an economic and social boost.^[2] Since the proposal was announced, Dock 1 in Cospicua was chosen for the head campus, while extensions are being planned for other sites in Cospicua and Żonqor, Marsaskala.^[1] It was officially established on 16 September 2016,^[1] and it opened in September 2017.^[5]

Planning and Opening

On 5 May 2015, the Jordanian construction company Sadeen Group and the Government of Malta signed an agreement at Auberge de Castille for the former to set up a private educational institution called the American University of Malta (AUM). The university was planned to be set up in Spain, but Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat persuaded the chairman of Sadeen, Hani Salah, to set it up in Malta. The university was intended to accommodate 4000 students, primarily from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.^[2]

By the time all campuses are complete, it is to have schools of business, architecture and design, engineering, arts, sciences, and information technology.^[3]

The original curricula of the AUM are provided by the DePaul University. The latter did not commit any financial resources for the construction of the AUM, and it was not involved in any discussions with the Government of Malta.^[4]^[5]

The proposed university was meant to create a social and economic boost to localities in the South Eastern Region of Malta, which is regarded as being less developed than the rest of the island.^[6]^[7] The project has an investment of over €115 million, and it is to create around 400^[6] to 750 jobs.^[8] The project's estimated economic output rests at about €48 to €85 million.^[9] Ripple effects of these changes are already being felt. As of September 2016, demand for property in Cospicua has reportedly increased as a result of the university project.^[10] However, the economic benefits have not trickled down to the least fortunate, as evidenced by the record number of Cospicua's residents requiring continued assistance from the EU Food Aid Programme ^[11]

The university originally planned to take in its first students in October 2016, with lectures at SmartCity Malta until the head campus was completed.^[17] The beginning of the first academic year was later moved to 28 August 2017, with lectures held at the Dock No. 1 campus in Cospicua.^[12]

In January 2016, John Ryder was named as the head of the American Institute of Malta.^[13]

Location of campus and use of ODZ land

When the university project was announced in May 2015, the government offered the Sadeen Group {{convert|90000|m2|abbr=on}} of Outside Development Zone (ODZ) land near Żonqor Point in Marsaskala on which to build the university. A natural park, partially funded by the university, would be set up nearby. The proposal to use ODZ land raised concerns among environmentalists, including the NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Ramblers Association, Din l-Art Ħelwa, NatureTrust Malta, Birdlife Malta, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement and Greenhouse. The Malta Developers Association also stated that a better site should be found,^[14] while the Church criticized the process used to select the land for the university.^[15] Meanwhile, residents of Marsaskala and southern Malta supported the university project by signing a petition in its favour.^[16]

The government initially planned to include the 19th-century Fort Leonardo within the university campus. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat also stated that constructing the university in Marsaskala would pressure the owners of the former Jerma Palace Hotel to redevelop the site, which has fallen into disrepair since being closed down in 2007.^[17]

Muscat responded to the environmentalists' criticism by stating that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would consider other sites as long as they are located in the southern part of the island.^[18] A public consultation process was subsequently made in order to select an alternative site for the university campus.^[19]

On 23 May 2015, the Front Ħarsien ODZ (Maltese for Front for the Protection of ODZ) was set up in response to the proposed development at Żonqor Point. The group aims to protect all ODZ land in Malta, and it includes then-Labour MP, turned Democratic Party (PD) members, Marlene Farrugia, government whip Godfrey Farrugia and former Alternattiva Demokratika politician, turned Nationalist Party (PN) member, Michael Briguglio.^[20] On 20 June, the front held a protest in Valletta against the development, and it was attended by 3000 people.^[21]

On 20 August, Muscat announced that the government had reached an agreement with the Sadeen Group that the campus be split between the former Dock No. 1 in Cospicua and a reduced site at Żonqor Point. The campus at Żonqor is much smaller than the one originally planned, and it will occupy the site of the water polo pitch and {{convert|18000|m2|abbr=on}} of adjoining ODZ fields. This campus is to consist of three faculties and student dormitories, with a maximum height of five stories. A new water polo pitch is also to be built to replace the one that will be demolished to make way for the university. The campus at Cospicua will occupy two former warehouses at Dock No. 1 which were built during Hospitaller and British rule. Additional buildings are to be constructed, but they are to keep with the architectural style of the area.^[22] This restoration project is bringing an otherwise run down Dock no. 1 back on its feet, which had been abandoned with the end of the rule of the British. The government will rent out both campuses to Sadeen Group for around €200,000 a year.^[23]

Front Ħarsien ODZ said that the proposal of splitting the campus was better than the original one, but said that it was still unacceptable to build on ODZ land.^[22] The University Students' Council also expressed its disappointment at the government building part of the campus at Żonqor Point.^[24] On the other hand, the move was welcomed by the Cospicua Heritage Society, who said that the Three Cities and Kalkara would greatly benefit from the project.^[25]

The government approved the granting of land for the AUM after a 15-hour long debate in parliament on 15 December 2015.^[26] Front Ħarsien ODZ called this parliamentary sitting "surreal" and said that it shows terrible governance.^[27]

On 25 August 2016, the Planning Authority approved the restoration of the British Building at Dock No. 1, and its conversion into a campus to house part of the AUM. Parts of the building which were destroyed during World War II will be rebuilt, while an intermediate level and a new second floor with a contemporary glass-and-steel design will be constructed.^[28] The renovation of the building is entrusted to the architect Edwin Mintoff, and it is expected to be completed by April 2018.^[29]

There are plans to restore the Knights' Building at Dock No. 1 and convert it into part of the campus, and this renovation is planned to be completed by 2017–18. The Marsaskala campus is to be ready by 2019–20.^[37]

Accreditation and licensing

In December 2015, Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil stated that since the AUM applied for the licence of a "Higher Education Institution", its marketing of itself as a "University" is illegal.^[26] In January 2016, the National Commission for Further and Higher Education announced that Sadeen Education Investment Ltd had been given a licence to operate a Higher Education Institution under the name American Institute of Malta. This was the first step in the process to acquire a university licence.^[30] The commission has stated that a degree issued by the American Institute would have the same value as one issued by the University of Malta.^[31]

However, on 11 March 2016, Sadeen Education Investment Ltd was notified by a judicial letter that licensed higher education institutions are prohibited from using the word "university" in their advertising and publicity, unless they have been granted that status formally.^[32] On 6 May 2016, Economy Minister Christian Cardona said that he had "no doubt that this will be a University and not an institute. This is part of a process, but the project will result in a University".^[33]

The National Commission for Higher Education officially accredited the AUM on 30 June 2016, after a 14-month process which included financial and academic evaluations. The commission imposed a number of conditions on the AUM, including an annual audit by the Clemson University.^[34]^[35] Sadeen asked for a compromise on these conditions, but the commission insisted that they were not negotiable.^[36] After the conditions were accepted, the commission issued a 5-year university licence on 16 September 2016.^[37]^[38]

Criticism

Critical questions about the university have been raised by members of the Maltese political elite, media, civil society, academe and the diplomatic community. Former AUM employees have also expressed concerns about the fledgling higher education institution.

Not American

One criticism is that AUM is not actually American. This is related to the fact that the company behind the project is from Jordan, not the United States. Almost a year before her assassination, Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia noted that "the man the Jordanian outfit has chosen to be rector of this questionable 'university' is John Ryder, who is the only American aspect of the project" ^[39] Philip G. Altbach, Boston College faculty member and director of the Center for International Higher Education, expressed concern that institutions such as Sadeen-owned AUM are "business interests starting universities to make money using the American brand" ^[40] When asked in an interview about her views concerning the controversial American university in Malta, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Malta G. Kathleen Hill insisted "It's not American...it's not an American initiative but an initiative by the Sadeen Group which is out of Jordan." ^[41]

In response to this criticism, AUM's provost John Ryder stated that the university is "not a brand or offshoot, or run by any American university ... [but it is] American in curriculum and organisation."^[42] The curricula are officially provided by DePaul University, Chicago. A spokesperson for DePaul University issued a statement, qualifying the officiality of AUM's curricula, saying that; "Faculty designed degree programs in areas that were requested, with the dual goals of being academically well-designed and meeting regulatory requirements in Malta. Individual faculty members were selected with the help of teams -- composed of associate deans, school directors and department chairs -- in the relevant colleges. Faculty then were asked to design the curriculum, and they were compensated for their work," also adding; "[t]he right to use our name (DePaul University) is specifically in connection to the curriculum. While specifics of any DePaul contract are proprietary, I can tell you that it went through the usual, internal multi-step review process."^[43]

Lack of transparency

Criticism has also been levelled at the AUM and Maltese Labour government for keeping the contents of its agreements secret from public view. Muscat was accused of a lack of transparency with regard to how government agreements with Sadeen were made. He responded by saying that the public was informed on the first occasion.^[44] NGOs have called for the publication of the agreement between the government and Sadeen Group.^[45]

A former lecturer at the AUM cited a confidentiality clause in the institution's standard employment contract that restricts transparency by threatening punitive measures against employees who leak information to the media. The lecturer reports: "There was a confidentiality clause which stated that we would have to pay back twice our yearly salary, if we broke it—a provision that is quite bizarre in America, and unheard of in Malta." ^[46]

Impracticality of locating university in Malta

The AUM has also been criticized about the practicality of having another university in the small country of Malta.^[47] The government stated that the AUM would end the monopoly that the University of Malta has on higher education,^[48] In response to this, lecturers at the University of Malta disagreed with the use of the term "monopoly", stating that the university already competes with other institutions such as MCAST.^[49]

Initial faculty recruitment for accreditation purposes only

Maltese blogger and political commentator Manuel Delia and a dismissed AUM lecturer have criticised the Maltese accreditor and the AUM, alleging that the initial recruitment of faculty, including several highly qualified academics from the United States and Britain, "was a scam to demonstrate academic prowess to the National Council for Further and Higher Education in order to acquire accreditation." ^[50]^[51]^[52]

Controversies

In the first two years of the AUM's existence, the higher education institution has been plagued by a number of controversies. Despite the university's small student body, high employee turnover and growing legal troubles, Malta's Education Minister Evarist Bartolo insisted that the AUM is not a “garage operation” ^[53]

Low student enrolments

Refusals by Provost John Ryder to publicly release the official enrollment figures have become a recurring flashpoint of controversy. An early promotional video presented the new university's plan to admit 1,000 students in its first year, eventually reaching a total enrollment of 4,000 students by its fourth year.^[54]

The AUM officially began offering classes on Tuesday September 12, 2017, rather than Monday September 11, to avoid association with the September 11 attacks anniversary.^[55] Asked how many students the AUM admitted for the Fall semester (academic year 2017/18), Provost Ryder would only say that student recruitment was “proving to be challenging." ^[56] In November, the Times of Malta reported that the AUM's revised plan was to enroll 330 students in its first semester, but the "university managed to attract 15 students"^[57] The figure was denied by university officials.^[58] Four days later, Ryder acknowledged in a Television Malta interview that the AUM student body numbered 23.^[59]

At the start of the next academic year (2018–19), the AUM's provost and the director of student recruitment only disclosed the number of countries from which it received applications, but not the total numbers of applicants or enrolments.^[60] Despite Provost Ryder's promises to eventually share enrolment figures with the media, none were ever officially released. An anonymous source at the university divulged to the Times of Malta that six new students had been admitted in the fledgling institution's second year of operations.^[61]

Personnel decisions

AUM personnel decisions have also generated controversy, raising concerns about the legality of the new institution's employment policies and practices. Within a period of 7 months, 10 university employees were terminated, either by dismissal or resignation: (1) Deputy (Construction Project) Manager (dismissal), (2) Admissions Director (dismissal), (3) Marketing and Public Relations Director (dismissal), (4) Vice President for Administrative Affairs (dismissal), (5) IT Technician (dismissal), (6) Webmaster (resignation), (7) Admissions Counselor (resignation), (8) Human Resources Director (dismissal), (9) Professor of Finance (dismissal) and (10) Dean of Student Affairs (resignation).^[62] The dismissed deputy manager filed a judicial protest against Sadeen Education.^[63] The former admissions director sued the university for unfair dismissal.^[64]

On 4 January 2018, Provost John Ryder informed the twelve remaining AUM faculty members by e-mail that their employment with the university had been terminated without cause.^[65]^[66] Five of the terminated faculty members sued the AUM for unfair dismissal and abuse of the six-month probationary period rule.^[67] According to Maltese Labour law, the six-month probationary rule stipulates that "[t]he first six months of any employment under a contract of service is deemed to be probationary employment, unless otherwise agreed by both parties for a shorter probation period. [...] During the probationary period, either party may terminate the employment at will without reason. Provided that a week’s notice of the termination of employment has to be given to the other party in the case of an employee who has been in the employment of the same employer continuously for more than one month." ^[68] The five lecturers reached an agreement with Sadeen to settle the case before it reached adjudication, the terms of which were never made public.

Alleged legal and ethical wrongdoing by board of trustees

Another source of controversy is the alleged legal and ethical wrongdoing by members of the AUM's board of trustees. The board members are (1) Prince Jean of Luxembourg (chair), (2) John Ryder (ex officio), (3) Taddeo Scerri (chairman of the board at the Bank of Valletta), (4) Hani Salah (Chief Executive Officer of Sadeen Group), (5) Taher al-Masri, (6) Derrick Gosselin and (7) Adrian Hillman (former Allied Group managing director).^[69] Hillman was appointed while under criminal investigation for laundering money and receiving kickbacks from the Maltese Prime Minister's chief of staff Keith Schembri, who has been implicated in a tax evasion scheme by the Panama Papers.^[70]^[69] Scerri was accused of ignoring conflicts of interest between his AUM board appointment and his current and past professional positions in Malta's financial sector.^[71] Derrick Gosselin exploited a so-called Revolving door (politics) between an executive position in a private energy company and a senior policy position in the Flemish government in order to unethically influence public policy for his employer's financial benefit. ^[72]

Substandard quality assurance

The AUM has also become embroiled in controversy due to its poor quality assurance practices. In order to maintain its accreditation, university officials must show due diligence by vetting all prospective hires for past wrongdoing (criminal and ethical) as well as verifying the authenticity of their credentials. In at least two cases, Provost Ryder and the Quality Assurance Manager failed to meet this standard. They recruited, hired and employed a lecturer with a history of committing plagiarism (violation of academic integrity) and a second faculty member holding fraudulent credentials.^[73]^[74] University of Malta Education Professor and renowned public intellectual Peter Mayo described the difficulty of obtaining US accreditation with poor quality assurance practices as the AUM's primary obstacle: "The main struggle for institutions such as the new AUM, situated on an island at the heart of the Mediterranean, strategically posed [sic] to attract students from North Africa and Europe, is, not only to attract an adequate number of students (this has been incredibly low to the extent that some recruited academics were dismissed before the end of their probation period), but, one would imagine, to establish links with US universities and perhaps seek accreditation from important USA agencies." ^[75]

Problems with construction contractors

In the process of restoring the Dock 1 site, Sadeen has ignited controversy through its mismanagement of the construction project. After disappointingly low student enrolments, Sadeen sued a Maltese real estate developer from which it purchased a hostel to serve as a student dormitory.^[76] Physical violence and threats of gun violence also ensued on the AUM campus between a contractor and subcontractor, with no intervention by campus security despite the threat posed to students, faculty and staff.^[77]

Strained community relations

Despite government projections that the AUM project would improve southern Malta, reports emerged of the university's negative impact on the local Bormla community and the greater three cities region, indicating threats to quality of life and cultural heritage. Noting traffic congestion and a shortage of vehicle parking caused by the new university's presence, Bormla's mayor requested that the university allow local residents to use 50% of the parking spaces in a planned underground parking complex.^[78] Expressing a concern "to safeguard the public interest" by preserving open spaces and historical sites, Malta's third political party, Partit Demokratiku, opposed the university's application filed with planning authorities to expand the campus into the nearby Cottonera district, including a student dormitory, underground parking garage and a rooftop pool.^[79] Maltese environmental NGO Flimkien Ghal Anbjent Ahjar warned that the planned extension of the AUM campus would privatise the majority of public space along the Bormla waterfront and destroy cultural landmarks. "Such a building in this historically and visually sensitive area should be restored and rehabilitated through best practice and not simply bulldozed to make way for incompatible uses to the detriment of cultural heritage." ^[80] The planned extension of the Dock 1 campus also fuelled speculation that the Sadeen Group intends to declare the AUM project a failure and convert the site into a luxury hotel.

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23. ^{{cite news|title=Government to rent public land to American University of Malta on the cheap|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-08-30/local-news/Government-to-rent-public-land-to-American-University-of-Malta-on-the-cheap-6736141281|work=The Malta Independent|date=30 August 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016154148/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-08-30/local-news/Government-to-rent-public-land-to-American-University-of-Malta-on-the-cheap-6736141281|archivedate=16 October 2015}}
24. ^{{cite news|title=KSU disappointed by the governments adamant decision confirming the American University of Malta at Zonqor Point|url=http://www.ksu.org.mt/index.php/press/160-ksu-disappointed-by-the-governments-adamant-decision-confirming-the-american-university-of-malta-at-zonqor-point|work=KSU|date=28 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220212200/http://www.ksu.org.mt/index.php/press/160-ksu-disappointed-by-the-governments-adamant-decision-confirming-the-american-university-of-malta-at-zonqor-point|archivedate=20 December 2015}}
25. ^{{cite news|title=Cospicua Heritage Society qed tappoġġja l-proġett tal-università|url=http://www.inewsmalta.com/dart/20150824-cospicua-heritage-society-qed-tappo-ja-pro-ett-tal-universit|work=iNews Malta|date=24 August 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220234715/http://www.inewsmalta.com/dart/20150824-cospicua-heritage-society-qed-tappo-ja-pro-ett-tal-universit|archivedate=20 December 2015|language=Maltese}}
26. ^¹{{cite news|title=House approves 'American University' property motion after night-long debate|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151215/local/aum-undergoing-rigorous-evaluation-education-minister.595847|work=Times of Malta|date=15 December 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219174151/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151215/local/aum-undergoing-rigorous-evaluation-education-minister.595847|archivedate=19 December 2015}}
27. ^{{cite news|title=Front slams vote for 'American University'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151216/local/front-slams-vote-for-american-university.595918|work=Times of Malta|date=16 December 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219175001/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151216/local/front-slams-vote-for-american-university.595918|archivedate=19 December 2015}}
28. ^{{cite web|title=University in Cospicua granted permit|url=http://www.pa.org.mt/news-details?id=1137|website=Planning Authority|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828114710/http://www.pa.org.mt/news-details?id=1137|archivedate=28 August 2016|date=25 August 2016}}
29. ^{{cite news|last1=Saliba|first1=Norma|title=American University buildings will reflect the past historic appearance of Cospicua Wharf|url=http://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/il-binjiet-tal-uaameamerican-university-buildings-will-reflect-the-past-historic-appearance-of-cospicua-wharfrican-university-buildings-will-reflect-the-past-historic-appearance-of-cospicua-wharfm-se/|work=TVM|date=26 August 2016}}
30. ^{{cite news|title=American University of Malta formally becomes American Institute of Malta, process to acquire university licence in process|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160126/local/american-university-of-malta-formally-becomes-american-institute-of.600155|work=Times of Malta|date=26 January 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126174313/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160126/local/american-university-of-malta-formally-becomes-american-institute-of.600155|archivedate=26 January 2016}}
31. ^{{cite news|last1=Camilleri|first1=Ivan|title=American Institute's degree 'equivalent to university's'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160201/local/american-institutes-degree-equivalent-to-universitys.600851|work=Times of Malta|date=1 February 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201174356/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160201/local/american-institutes-degree-equivalent-to-universitys.600851|archivedate=1 February 2016}}
32. ^{{cite news|last1=Vella|first1=Matthew|title=Watchdog fines Sadeen for marketing unlicensed 'university'|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63682/watchdog_fines_sadeen_over_aum_logo|work=Malta Today|date=3 April 2016}}
33. ^{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Ivan|title=American Institute courses could start this year|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160506/local/american-institute-courses-could-start-this-year.611196|work=timesofmalta.com|date=6 May 2016}}
34. ^{{cite news|title=American University of Malta gets accreditation at last|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160630/local/american-university-of-malta-gets-accreditation-at-last.617262|work=Times of Malta|date=30 June 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701130607/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160630/local/american-university-of-malta-gets-accreditation-at-last.617262|archivedate=1 July 2016}}
35. ^{{cite news|last1=Sansone|first1=Kurt|title=Conditions imposed on Sadeen Group for university licence 'are not negotiable'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160703/local/conditions-imposed-on-sadeen-group-for-university-licence-are-not.617495|work=Times of Malta|date=3 July 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703105715/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160703/local/conditions-imposed-on-sadeen-group-for-university-licence-are-not.617495|archivedate=3 July 2016}}
36. ^{{cite news|last1=Sansone|first1=Kurt|title=No university licence for Sadeen, one month before 'first student intake'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160910/local/no-university-licence-for-sadeen-one-month-before-first-student-intake.624564|work=Times of Malta|date=10 September 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910171108/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160910/local/no-university-licence-for-sadeen-one-month-before-first-student-intake.624564|archivedate=10 September 2016}}
37. ^¹²{{cite web|title=Our Beginnings|url=http://aum.edu.mt/en/article/5/Our-Beginnings|website=American University of Malta|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106002945/http://aum.edu.mt/en/article/5/Our-Beginnings|archivedate=6 January 2018}}
38. ^{{cite news|title=Sadeen granted 5-year licence to run American University of Malta|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160919/local/sadeen-granted-5-year-licence-to-run-american-university-of-malta.625569|work=Times of Malta|date=19 September 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920185425/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160919/local/sadeen-granted-5-year-licence-to-run-american-university-of-malta.625569|archivedate=20 September 2016}}
39. ^{{cite blog|title=From Baku to the 'American University of Malta'|url=https://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2016/09/baku-american-university-malta/|date=September 25, 2016}}
40. ^{{cite news|last1=Jaschik|first1=Scott|title=Is Newest 'American U. of...' Really American?|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/05/11/questions-raised-about-whether-american-u-malta-really-american|date=May 11, 2015}}
41. ^{{cite interview|title='The United States is more than President Trump'|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180930/interview/the-united-states-is-more-than-president-trump.690344|work=Times of Malta|date=September 30, 2018}}
42. ^¹{{cite news|last1=Sansone|first1=Kurt|title=AUM owner aspires for 'higher education diamond in the Mediterranean'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160925/local/diamond-waiting-to-shine.625996|work=Times of Malta|date=25 September 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926161256/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160925/local/diamond-waiting-to-shine.625996|archivedate=26 September 2016}}
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45. ^{{cite news|title=NGOs urge publication of Sadeen deal for university|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151103/local/ngos-urge-publication-of-sadeen-deal-for-university.590697|work=Times of Malta|date=3 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220214744/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151103/local/ngos-urge-publication-of-sadeen-deal-for-university.590697|archivedate=20 December 2015}}
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47. ^{{cite journal|last1=Mayo|first1=Peter|title=Of Universities, Monopolies, and Public Goods|journal=Think|url=http://www.um.edu.mt/think/of-universities-monopolies-and-public-goods/|publisher=University of Malta|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220183841/http://www.um.edu.mt/think/of-universities-monopolies-and-public-goods/|archivedate=20 December 2015}}
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49. ^{{cite news|title=Lecturers rubbish PM's claim of university monopoly|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150520/local/lecturers-rubbish-pms-claim-of-university-monopoly.568972|work=Times of Malta|date=20 May 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522183824/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150520/local/lecturers-rubbish-pms-claim-of-university-monopoly.568972|archivedate=22 May 2015}}
50. ^{{cite blog|title=Martin Scicluna's commission duped by AUM—former lecturer|url=https://manueldelia.com/2018/06/martin-sciclunas-commission-duped-by-aum-former-lecturer/|work=Truth be Told|date=1 June 2018}}
51. ^{{cite web|title=Promise and Betrayal: Former American University of Malta Lecturer Speaks Out|url=http://www.islesoftheleft.org/promise-betrayal-a-former-american-university-of-malta-lecturer-speaks-out|work=Isles of the Left|date=31 May 2018}}
52. ^{{cite web|title=AUM Spotlight|url=https://twitter.com/AUM_Spotlight|date=3 June 2018}}
53. ^{{cite news|last1=Grech|first1=Helena|title=Minister would rather see the American University of Malta 'start small, grow gradually'|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-11-13/local-news/Education-Minister-would-rather-see-AUM-start-small-grow-gradually-6736181366|work=The Malta Independent|date=13 November 2017}}
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55. ^¹{{cite news|title=AUM Opens its Doors to the First Batch of Students|url=http://www.maltachamber.org.mt/page.aspx?rid=8697&preview=1&c=95493AB4B36E9D8D6637317593DB929F7C5700C8&k=-534249962|work=maltachamber.org.mt|date=12 September 2017}}
56. ^{{cite news|last1=Camilleri|first1=Ivan|title=AUM student enrolment is 'proving challenging', provost says|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170906/local/aum-student-enrolment-is-proving-challenging-provost-says.657269|work=Times of Malta|date=6 September 2017}}
57. ^{{cite news|last1=Camilleri|first1=Ivan|title=AUM firing staff after failing to attract students|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20171112/local/aum-firing-staff-after-failing-to-attract-students.662834|work=Times of Malta|date=12 November 2017}}
58. ^{{cite news|last1=Schembri Orland|first1=Kevin|title=AUM says it has more than 15 students, but still doesn't divulge number|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-11-19/local-news/AUM-says-it-has-more-than-15-students-but-still-doesn-t-divulge-number-6736181619|work=The Malta Independent|date=19 November 2017}}
59. ^{{cite news|title=AUM rector says original targets were not realistic but is confident for the future|url=https://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/aum-rector-says-original-targets-were-not-realistic-but-is-confident-for-the-future/|work=Television Malta|date=24 November 2017}}
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61. ^{{cite news|last1=Camilleri|first1=Ivan|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180916/local/only-six-new-students-enrolled-at-aum-so-far.689221|title=Only six new students enrolled at AUM so far|work=Times of Malta|date=16 September 2018}}
62. ^{{cite news|last1=Diacono|first1=Tim|title=This is What the American University of Malta Looks Like Two Years Later|url=https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-breaking/this-is-what-the-american-university-of-malta-looks-like-two-years-later|work=lovinmalta.com|date=11 November 2017}}
63. ^{{cite news|title=American University of Malta deputy manager says claims against him were fabricated|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170523/local/american-university-deputy-manager-says-claims-against-him-were.648810|work=Times of Malta|date=23 May 2017}}
64. ^{{cite news|title=Couple file judicial protest claiming unfair dismissal by Sadeen Education Investment Ltd|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-10-20/local-news/Couple-file-judicial-protest-claiming-unfair-dismissal-by-Sadeen-Education-Investment-Ltd-6736180457|work=The Malta Independent|date=20 October 2017}}
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66. ^{{cite news|title=AUM full time lecturers said to have been 'dismissed by email'|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-01-04/local-news/AUM-full-time-lectures-said-to-have-been-dismissed-by-email-6736183231|work=The Malta Independent|date=4 January 2018}}
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70. ^{{cite news|title=Allied Group managing director Adrian Hillman denies allegations|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160313/local/allied-group-managing-director-adrian-hillman-denies-allegations.605632|work=Times of Malta|date=13 March 2016}}
71. ^{{cite news|last1=Camilleri|first1=Ivan|title=No conflict of interest with American University of Malta appointment, says BOV chair|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20171103/local/no-conflict-of-interest-with-american-university-of-malta.662085|work=Times of Malta|date=3 November 2017}}
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73. ^{{cite news|title=Disgraced lecturer forced to leave AUM after reports of plagiarism|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180203/local/disgraced-lecturer-forced-to-leave-aum-after-reports-of-plagiarism.669611|work=Times of Malta|date=3 February 2018}}
74. ^{{cite news|title=American University of Malta Lecturer Suspected of Lying About His Oxford PhD|url=https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-breaking/breaking-american-university-of-malta-lecturer-suspected-of-lying-about-his-oxford-phd|work=Lovin Malta|date=12 February 2018}}
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76. ^{{cite news|last1=Cocks|first1=Paul|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/90336/american_university_of_malta_tries_to_nullify_27_million_purchase_of_tarxien_hostel#.XDHJUUxFzmI|title=American University of Malta tries to nullify €2.7 million purchase of Tarxien hostel|work=Malta Today|date=23 Oct 2018}}
77. ^{{cite news|last1=Brincat|first1=Edwina|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20181203/local/contractors-come-to-blows-at-american-university-man-arraigned-after.695810|title=Contractors come to blows at American university, man arraigned after year-long search|work=Times of Malta|date=3 Dec 2018}}
78. ^{{cite news|last1=Debono|first1=James|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/93722/american_university_parking_spaces_should_be_given_to_bormla_residents_mayor_says|title=American University parking spaces should be given to Borlma residents, mayor says|work=Malta Today|date=21 March 2019}}
79. ^{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2019-03-23/local-news/PD-to-safeguard-public-interest-in-relation-to-AUM-extension-6736205530|title=PD 'to safeguard public interest' in relation to AUM extension|work=Independent|date=23 March 2019}}
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