Stress on decisive action and strong leadership

The new rector of the University of Malta, Juanito Camilleri, thinks his first challenge is to "listen and understand" the current state-of-play at Tal-Qroqq.

Prof. Camilleri starts his five-year term on July 1 after the university council approved his nomination on Tuesday night.

Aims in his vision statement include seeking to ensure that the seat of learning is responsive to the needs of industry and striving to create an environment that rewards excellence irrespective of political creed, and being approachable and accessible.

He recognises that the university needs "decisive action and strong leadership" to safeguard its good name, protect its autonomy and enhance its legacy for future generations.

Prof. Camilleri was the sole candidate for the post after being nominated by all 13 government representatives on the university council. His nomination was approved during a special council meeting. He succeeds Roger Ellul-Micallef.

When contacted yesterday, the 39-year-old IT specialist expressed his delight at the nomination although he said it was still premature to delve further into the details of his strategy.

"The strategy is something that needs to be formulated in consultation with my colleagues and peers and after I meet the various representatives of civil society," he said.

Prof. Camilleri said a main concern was to ensure that all undergraduate teaching programmes were "at least" of a very good international standing, something that requires lecturers to be at the cutting edge of research and always alert to identify new training and research programmes.

Moreover, he said, the university has to come to terms with the fact that it cannot be a centre of excellence in all disciplines.

It should not be prescriptive but be a "haven for freedom of thought and intellectual endeavour".

Academic staff must benefit from the right remuneration, incentives, resources and support, while non-academic staff must get due recognition for their vital role.

Prof. Camilleri pointed out that the university must remain autonomous, while the government should ensure that public funds were well spent.

"The university must be accountable and transparent."

Moreover, funding cannot be a mere percentage mark-up of the of the previous year's allocation.

"If standards are to be maintained, it should reflect the number of students being catered for and particularly the mix of disciplines they choose to read," he said, explaining that costs of training depended on the type of course.

He voiced his belief that the university should not use public funds to go into business in direct competition with industry, but should be at the forefront promoting new areas of business, technology transfer and transfer of know-how as well as providing services that sustain private enterprise. Prof. Camilleri underlined the importance that the university continues to seek alternative international sources of funding, also through attracting more fee-paying foreign students.

He mentioned the importance of students having the right foundation. He underlined the importance of establishing the right links with the Junior College as well as continuing to build bridges with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.

Credit transfer between the university and local or foreign accredited tertiary institutions should be encouraged and EU funds for student and staff exchange programmes exploited.

Prof. Camilleri said that in the coming weeks he will gradually be handing over the reigns as Melita Cable CEO, but will continue as company director.

Prof. Camilleri obtained a first class degree in computer science at the University of Kent before continuing his academic career at the University of Cambridge. He obtained a PhD in theoretical computer science when he was just 23, after which he was appointed research fellow at the University of Cambridge's Computer Laboratory.

He returned to Malta in 1992 and has been a member of the board of directors of Enemalta, the Malta Development Corporation, Maltacom, the university council, the Malta Council for Science and Technology and the European Joint Research Council, among others.

Prof. Camilleri is married to gynaecologist Astrid Camilleri and has a four-year-old daughter, Bettina.

His vision statement, called Our Country, Our University, My Commitment, is available on www.um.edu.mt/pressreleases/2006/vision_statement.pdf.