Criticise the Institute

This week’s task is to criticise the institute and what we would like to change or keep in the system yet focusing more on the negative stuff. Also, the lecturer added that at the time being we should focus on criticising and not finding the solution which will come later in time.

When you are not wearing someone’s shoes it is rather easy to criticise and complain about how things should be running and done, yet being in the management position is a completely different story. I will try and be as much realistic as possible in my critics and try to not be biased as a student.

Time is of the essence, and sure it is not good wasting it. The first thing that bothers me most is that we do not have a place where to work when we have a free lesson. The library is a start but you cannot do group work since you have to keep quiet for others to concentrate while they are doing their readings and the space is also very limited to cater all students. Therefore, if space is provided for free lessons would be very useful.

Other issues can be found in classes. There are classes with damaged or not functioning equipment like projectors, computers and speakers. Some air-conditioners do not work at all or are with clogged filters which are as good as if these were nonexistent. Some lecturers should also be instructed to open windows or doors to let in fresh air since air-conditioners circulate the same air which is not very healthy, keeping in mind that a lot of students enter and leave the class daily.

Also, restrooms tend to be in a mess. The problem probably is because of uneducated, contemptible or base behaviour of students with which janitors have to struggle daily. I do not know how the solution can or should be tackled; if a solution is found it is much appreciated.

This is my second year here at MCAST art institute and apparently, like least year, an exhibition is held at the end of each year. I saw a lot of mishandling and damaging of equipment during these weeks. If equipment was dismantled before by a competent maintenance person, I am sure that it will cut costs from the upcoming year and lecturers would find their classes as they left it, instead of finding classes with missing equipment.

The environment at the institute is being abended and slowly it is becoming like a jungle. You can see wild vegetation growing a meter tall or more, especially near the workshops and the computer rooms. The pond will soon inhabit a strange creature which will be feeding on students and there is this abended area on the western side of the institute (if you are standing outside facing the clock) which in my opinion is a waste of space.

Another thing worth mentioning, which I suffered from last year, is that if you are sick and get a medical certificate it still counts as penalty for failing to attend class. I had a motorbike accident and my foot was swollen so bad that I could not walk for two entire weeks and the doctors told me to rest and elevate the foot while applying ice as much as possible. After recovery, I managed to go back to school getting lifts with another student and on the first day I posted the medical certificate as instructed. Following some weeks after, I received a warning notice that I had exceeded or was very close to exceed the minimum amount of absence. I was then summoned in front of the Deputy Director and after explaining the whole story the only thing he told me was to not drive a motorbike anymore which I found a lot of an immature reply. Anyway, I did not have any time to waste and was not in the mood to continue and argue with a closed-minded person who is incapable of articulating a mature sentence. Luckily till now everything seems to have passed on a good note since then.

As already mentioned, skipping classes result in penalty. Apart from that I do not agree with the rule, because now we are “supposed” to be mature students, there are some situations where you will be attending school and not having any lessons because the syllabus has been covered and everyone is working on their final assignments. I am sure that everyone would agree that you would manage to produce more work from the comfort of home rather than going through the hassle of going to school, maybe waste some time during free lessons and go back home just for the sake of being present. Apart from students who would be needing assistance from lecturers, the rest can stay home and focus on their assignments without being penalised.

Last thing that I am going to mention and that I am not certain and do not have any knowledge about, is the summer internship. I am writing this because last year it has not been even mentioned. I think it would be a great idea to assist/guide students in finding an internship for summer related to their course.

Apart from the mentioned above and maybe a few more others, the system is pretty much stable and in working condition but, I strongly recommend that a remedial action is taken each year to make the upcoming year a better one (which I do not believe that this is yet being done).