Six months after graduating some 97% of University ofGibraltar students are either in employment or further education, the University confirmed in its annual report.

The statistics into the employability of the graduates were reported by the University as it provided updated information on its strategic plans, courses and financials.

The University, which was established in 2015, saw 473 students enrolled in 2021/2022 in academic programmes, professional courses and certificates, short and access courses.

“The value of embedding employability skills, such as placements, into higher education cannot be overstated,” Professor Catherine Bachleda, Vice- Chancellor, told the Chronicle.

“Embedding these skills in our programmes gives our graduates the opportunity to gain sought-after hands-on experience and build their professional network before they leave their studies.”

“This provides graduates with a competitive advantage when searching for employment after they graduate, and can lead to more success in the job market.”

“The University could not be prouder of our graduate employability statistics, 97% of University of Gibraltar graduates go on to gainful employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation.”

Over the past years the University has grown, adding new courses and continuing on with their set programmes.

In 2022 the university launched two new courses, BSc computing and entrepreneurship and MA in education, further to the nine academic programmes it currently provides for.

Between 2019 and 2022, some 66% of all publications were published in high impact journals or books, the University reported.

Overall, 86% of students satisfied with their overall learning experience and 92% of students progressed to the next level and/ or completed their studies per their agreed study plan.

The University also highlighted its challenges including Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, and war in Ukraine.

To overcome these challenges the University is fostering international relationships, which it said reinforce its international standing and provide opportunities for its students.

“Along with maintaining and further developing our existing agreements with partners such as Universities UK (UUK), the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories (NUSCAT), and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the University is currently working on entering into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Universities of Malta and Plymouth, as well as with the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI),” the University reported.

“On the local front, the University signed new MoUs with the Gibraltar Digital Skills Academy, Gibraltar Cultural Services and Maritime Medical Services Ltd., as well as renewed existing ones with the Gibraltar Health Authority, the Gibraltar Garrison Library and the Gibraltar National Museum.”

“It continues to work closely with all our associate campuses, especially the Gibraltar Government’s Department of Education and the Gibraltar Health Authority with regard to the provision of student placements in local schools and the hospital as part of their studies in our PGCE and Nursing programmes.”

The University has also signed MoUs with the Gibraltar Government’s Department of the Environment and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.

This will allow for student placements for the MSc in Environmental Science and Climate Change.

FUNDING

The University reported it is working on becoming selfsufficient with the Gibraltar Government annual funding grant reduced by £250,000 in April 2022 to £1m.

The Government spent a further £1.22 on student tuition and this was reduced from the £1.59m spent on tuition in the previous year.

“This was the first year tuition fee income exceeded funding grants,” the University reported.

“The University again achieved significant growth in tuition fees (32%) compared with the previous year; the year saw a large increase in fees from students on academic programmes (48% increase) and particularly full time students (67% increase) as compared to the previous year.”

“Academic part-time students remained largely in line with previous year, although there was a reduction in tuition fees from non-academic courses as can be seen below.”

“Student numbers have seen a steady increase over the past academic years.”

The Covid-19 pandemic provided a challenge for the University, which provided for online learning during this time.

The University said it has continued to respond well to the risks and challenges imposed by Covid-19 and other economic factors.

“The student recruitment and marketing teams have predominantly engaged in digital efforts to work towards meeting recruitment targets,” it said.

Last year saw an increase in academic full time home and EU students with a 46% increase in fees and academic full time international students with a 304% increase in fees.

The University also relies on donations from local organisations and individuals, receiving over £850,000 in 2021/2022.

Overall, £1.7m was received in tuition including the Government tuition spend.

Total income for the year was £3.98m and expenditure was £3.65m.