IT specialist nominated for university top job

All 13 of the government representatives on the university council - one of the main governing bodies - have nominated Juanito Camilleri, Melita Cable CEO, to the post of university rector.

It is the 26-member council which elects the rector. Apart from the president, vice-president, senate and student representatives, as well as members elected from academic and non-academic staff, and a member of the clergy, which total 13, the council is composed of a member appointed by the Education Ministry and 12 appointed by the Prime Minister to represent the general interest of the country.

University rector Roger Ellul-Micallef has served for two five-year terms. His second term ends in June.

Speaking to The Times yesterday, Prof. Camilleri confirmed that all the government representatives had nominated him and that he had signed the nomination form.

"I have accepted the nomination," he said, adding that the council members had expressed confidence in him, strongly encouraging him to consider the post.

"Strictly speaking, only one person needs to nominate someone," he explained, adding that he has not had time to do any lobbying, but would take the opportunity to do so.

Although it is early days, Prof. Camilleri expressed his enthusiasm for the position of rector, particularly when considering how important Malta's only university was for the socio-economic development of the country.

Such a position could leave a tremendous mark on Malta's psyche, its values and the future availability of human resources, he said. It was so important that the university had the right vision, which ran in line with that of the country at large, he continued.

For this reason, it was considered to be an "extreme responsibility and a major onus on those taking on the role".

As former CEO of Go Mobile and now of Melita Cable, which he considered to be "vibrant" companies in their sectors and "exciting" in their own right, Prof. Camilleri is no newcomer to high-profile, challenging jobs.

He expressed his sadness at the possibility of having to relinquish his position at Melita Cable, which he was enjoying. But, on the other hand, the prospect of such a challenge at the university was a unique opportunity, he said.

Melita Cable said that though the CEO's nomination could result in his eventual departure from the company, Prof. Camilleri would retain his current post until the outcome of the election and, should it transpire that he is elected to the new post, he would continue to serve the company for a transition period.

Prof. Camilleri joined Melita Cable less than five months ago, in which time he claimed to have forged a "great working relationship" with the board, the senior management team and employees.

Despite preferring that he remained on board, Melita Cable chairman Joe Gasan said that if Prof. Camilleri were elected to the post of university rector, "Melita's loss would be the country's gain".

In the coming days, Prof. Camilleri will be appointed director to the Melita board and would continue to contribute to the strategic direction of the company in his non-executive role, Mr Gasan said, auguring him the best of luck.

When asked whether Prof. Ellul-Micallef would be considering running for a third term, the rector's office said yesterday he was unavailable for comment due to other engagements.

Asked whether the university's 10 faculty deans were supporting his nomination, the rector's office said Prof. Ellul-Micallef had received a letter from the deans thanking him for his work during his term of office and encouraging him to run for a third term.