‘Rectorship vote sends strong pro-stability message’- Godfrey Baldacchino

Professor Alfred Vella’s election as the University’s new rector sends a strong message in favour of stability and continuity, sociology lecturer Godfrey Baldacchino said.

Baldacchino was Vella’s only competitor for the post of rector, during a secret ballot vote that was taken by the University Council on Friday. Conceding defeat, the sociologist said that Vella is best placed to lead the university in the current circumstances.

“The voting by the University Council was unequivocal and sends a strong message in favour of stability and continuity in the University’s administration,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Professor Vella to operationalise our shared vision of the University of Malta as the pre-eminent national knowledge institution, serving community, industry and society; providing enviable conditions of employment to its employees; encouraging students and staff to aspire to excel and widen their horizons; and reaching out to build a stronger presence and reputation beyond our shores.”

Alfred Vella, a lecturer in environmental chemistry and a former Dean of the Faculty of Science, will replace long-serving university rector Juanito Camilleri on 1 July.

Writing on a Facebook page dedicated to discuss the new rector, Baldacchino had said that one of Camilleri’s tasks would be to manage the transition to an appropriate University of Malta law, which would lift the UOM out of the Education Act.

“This will at the same time create an unparalleled opportunity to revisit the core governance structure of the University itself,” he said.

He also questioned whether the UOM should shift to a model where a rector acts as University president, focusing on strategy, while confiding management duties to another official.

He also floated the idea of having as many as three pro-rectors assisting the rector – each taking charge of research, campus life and community outreach with other post-secondary colleges “and the invisible 35% who never make it to tertiary education”.