Dean of Engineering Faculty

Professor Maurice Grech was recently appointed Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Professor Grech graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malta in 1974 and worked for Malta Development Corporation, Telemalta and Malta Shipbuilding before joining the University as a lecturer in 1981.

Professor Grech furthered his studies at the University of Birmingham, where he graduated with a master's degree in metallurgical manufacturing processes and management in 1982 and with a doctoral degree in the heat treatment of cast iron in 1989.

Appointed head of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials on its founding in 1993, he has also established the University-owned company Surface Engineering Ltd., offering heat treatment and engineering coatings to a large number of local industries. Among his other responsibilities, he continues to lead both organisations in their successful achievements.

Awarded the title of Professor in 1998, he has led several research activities in the field of heat treatment, a number of which have been funded by European Framework Programmes. His work is acknowledged world-wide and has been published in over 30 technical papers in professional and academic journals and conferences.

Professor Grech believes that the Faculty can only keep pace with technological developments by continuously improving its resources and facilities, through collaborative research with industry and by attracting external funding. The Faculty is already involved in a number of exciting collaborative projects with both local and foreign partners.

Aware of the Faculty's potential and the willingness of industry to further participation with the University, the new Dean wants to focus on bringing both parties closer together and on ensuring that the Faculty will continue to strengthen its activities for the benefit of its staff, its students and of society.

Professor Grech is married to Carmen née Cini and has two children, Owen, 17, and Dawn, 11.