University’s recruitment process ‘not transparent’
Ombudsman said that he was ‘deeply perturbed’ by policy
There should be more transparency in recruitment of University academics. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The University of Malta has admitted its selection boards do not keep records of candidates’ performance during interviews and instead only submit final recommendations on who to appoint.
Selection board members are given clear guidelines as to what to take into consideration when interviewing a candidate for an academic post. Each set of criteria is given a score weighting. But rather than assign scores to candidates in each individual category, University selection boards are given free rein to pick who they believe will be the most suitable candidate for the post.
The process has been staunchly criticised by University ombudsman Charles Farrugia, who in the Ombudsman’s 2011 annual report is quoted as being “deeply perturbed” by the University policy.
“The University’s selection process may be fair, untainted and non-discriminatory but it is neither transparent nor accountable,” Prof. Farrugia wrote in disapproval. “Transparency and accountability in all public transactions are not a concession but a right.”
A University spokeswoman defended existing practices, arguing that “the selection of staff can never be reduced to a precise numeric or algorithmic rendition of qualities and performances of candidate”.
Transparency, the spokeswoman said, was ascertained by the presence of a University Council member on each selection board. Council members are not employed by the University.
Candidates not given detailed information
Concerns about a lack of transparency in academic recruitment procedures came to light following three separate complaints made to the University Ombudsman.
In all three cases, unsuccessful candidates argued that the University had not explained its decision to overlook them and had failed to give them a breakdown of their interview performance. The University Ombudsman took up their cases – only to find out that the candidates had not been given any detailed information because selection boards did not keep any.
With no records available, the Ombudsman’s investigations were “seriously hampered” and he was unable to conclude his investigations either way.
The only conclusion to be drawn, Prof. Farrugia wrote in the 2011 annual report, was that “the process lacked even a modicum of transparency”.
Prof. Farrugia told The Times the impasse had yet to be resolved. “The University remains concerned that it stands to lose autonomy if it is made to change its selection processes. My position is that the University only stands to gain from being more transparent and accountable.”
He was cautiously optimistic the matter would be resolved. “Talks are ongoing and I’m sure this situation will be resolved. There is goodwill on both sides,” he said.
What makes a conflict of interest?
One disgruntled applicant complained to the Ombudsman that the successful candidate had well-known professional ties to a member of the selection board in question.
The board member, who also headed the University’s geography department, had worked with the successful candidate on a joint academic presentation, co-supervised her Masters dissertation and even accepted to act as one of her referees.
According to University selection board guidelines, none of this constitutes a conflict of interest. Board members must only declare such a conflict when a candidate is a close relative or business associate of the board member or is in litigation with the board member.
A University spokeswoman argued that, given Malta’s size, such situations were bound to arise. Disqualifying such academics from selection boards would result in selection boards “made up solely of members who are not experts, or who are insufficiently knowledgeable in the field in the vacancy in question”.
Ombudsman Prof. Farrugia had some sympathy for this argument and said he was not questioning the integrity of the department head in question.
However, he argued that the situation was “clearly questionable” and insisted “this person should have refrained from serving on the board.”
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36 Comments
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Dominic Fenech
Nov 12th 2012, 20:33
2011 annual report? That's practically a year ago. The university Council has since discussed this matter many times and took a very clear position on it. Old hat.
Melissa Bagley
Nov 21st 2012, 22:15
By 'old hat', do you mean the lack of transparency? That idiom would pretty much sum up the state of affairs at the UoM re: selection process.......
Paul Pulis
Nov 12th 2012, 17:44
In my case , I didn't even bother to submit a complaint. The Ombudsman would have had no way of knowing where the weighting of marks was unfair. Records of marks according to pre-established criteria simple did not exist. I would have loved to know where the selected candidate scored more than me.
M Cachia
Nov 12th 2012, 16:22
Can I just point out that this has nothing to do with politics. It would be the same regardless of party in power.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Nov 12th 2012, 17:30
You are wrong - it has all to do with politics. First of all the majority of Senate members are nominated by the government. And it seems they agree to the way things are done. Secondly, if the government tolerates such anti-democratic antics in our Uni, it reflects badly on the government that sits back as if nothing bad is happening. Not acting is tantamount to agreeing.
M Cachia
Nov 14th 2012, 13:14
1) The University is autonomous and therefore government interference is to be frowned upon.
2) If you ever had dealings with academics it is blatantly obvious that the problem lies within the University and not externally with the political parties. I have personal experience of similar situations to the one reported where the issue concerned members of known different political leanings
John Cassar
Nov 12th 2012, 14:49
It is high time that the Malta University Ombudsman opens his mouth. I know of a person who forwarded a similar complaint and none of this was brought up to the authorities by this same Ombudsman. I had personally raised a similar case with the relevant authorities so that I am given the marks that I was given during an interview for a post in a teaching instituion and my request was turned down
victor bonello
Nov 12th 2012, 14:36
another bubble burst. this is how GonziPN is investing in the Education of our Children. Not to mention particular courses they open just for some one special!
pat muscat
Nov 12th 2012, 14:32
To me these are 'tales of the expected'. Morna l-bahar !
Josef Lauri
Nov 12th 2012, 13:14
This is quite interesting. What procedures were followed when the now University Ombudsman was then University Pro-Rector?
josef Lauri
I Bugeja
Nov 12th 2012, 12:52
Unfortunately the professors and heads of departments in the university are too highly regarded, more than they should be.
The kind of qualifications one has to teach at the univeristy should also be dealt with and the relatives who work at the univeristy (for both upcoming candidates and existing)
M Cachia
Nov 12th 2012, 12:30
How surprising....... This is the very reason why I, and a significant number of my friends, have left the UoM for academic life in foreign universities.
George Calleja
Nov 12th 2012, 12:30
Donnkom skoprejtu l-Amerika!!! Fi zmien il-labour ma kienx hemm 'selection boards' imma kienu jintghazlu awtomatikament !!!
Guido Farrugia
Nov 12th 2012, 13:42
L-istess sistema. Mela ma nbiddel xejn, mhux hekk?
victor bonello
Nov 12th 2012, 14:34
What a stupid comment - we are talking of today. Why try to excuse the Government? Since when do two wrongs make a right? If we are still in the same days you mention, then ofcourse we need a change, and the faster the better !
George Calleja
Nov 12th 2012, 12:29
Donnkom skoprejtu l-Amerika!!! Fi zmien il-labour ma kienx hemm 'selection boards' imma kienu jintghazlu awtomatikament !!!
Jonathan Camilleri
Nov 12th 2012, 12:27
When I was interviewed by senior members of the University of Malta, they had quite a bit to say given that I was slightly late for the interview (nitpicking), yet, no follow up correspondence let me know whether I had been selected and why not, because assumed I was not selected. I would also like to complain about their asking for multiple hard copies of certifications. Can't they print ??
m. borg (slm)
Nov 12th 2012, 12:08
Like a champagne pyramid irresponsability and lack of accountabilty in this country flows from the top downwards and this needs to be addressed.
No wonder we score so badly in the World's Corruption Index.
joe vella
Nov 12th 2012, 11:06
When, in its entire history, has the University of Malta been transparent and accountable?
it is a well known fact that several posts have their 'keeper' well in advance of publication
the shroud of autonomy has been shielding this institution for years on years, very conveniently covering up a number of dubious decisions
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Nov 12th 2012, 10:55
When was the selection process ever transparent at University albeit sometimes with good intentions. The ombudsman must know this from the time he was a pro-rector many decades ago, hence nothing novel about his recent transparency concerns. As long as I have known it there has been too much power with the rector or his delegate.Whole application cum selection process needs to be overhauled
victor bonello
Nov 12th 2012, 10:26
This is the investment in education Gonzi is promising. Not one clear thing, nothing but shady deals..SHAME!!!
Philip Grech
Nov 12th 2012, 10:11
So that is why the sons and daughters of lawyers, doctors etc, especially those in politics are rarely rejected.
Edward Mallia
Nov 12th 2012, 09:56
What an amazing discovery by the University Ombudsman! As the song goes: Where have all the 'flowers gone?' But perhaps (acknow. Oliver Friggieri) 'Fl-Universita ma jikbrux fjuri' .
Joseph Arpa
Nov 12th 2012, 09:54
Jistghu jghidu ghal Labour tal 80's ukoll!!!!
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Nov 12th 2012, 09:47
U ejja, xejn gdid fil-pajjiz tac-cpar. Iktar ma jkun hemm duhhan, iktar hafif juruk id-debba u jqabbzuk il-hmara
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Nov 12th 2012, 09:47
U ejja, xejn gdid fil-pajjiz tac-cpar. Iktar ma jkun hemm duhhan, iktar hafif juruk id-debba u jqabbzuk il-hmara
Noel Cutajar
Nov 12th 2012, 09:36
I am quite surprised by what the University Ombudsman had to say...when I complained about a selection procedure and I pointed out that the person who was to be selected everyone knew that it was a made to measure application...he investigated my complaint by first speaking to the persons involved and I was the last to be interviewed. At the end obviously there was nothing wrong.
joe vella
Nov 12th 2012, 11:33
noel, I have already passed a comment similar to yours- what you claim is the order of the day there!
PAUL BUSUTTIL
Nov 12th 2012, 09:35
Like everything else in Malta nothing is transparent !!!
Anthony Paris
Nov 12th 2012, 09:32
Transparency has been the hallmark of this government. Whether it is BWSC or St.Phillips Hospital, ministers were so tranparent that oneof them was nearly run over by a car because the driver could not see him.
David Scicluna
Nov 12th 2012, 09:29
As if this wasn't already obvious...
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 12th 2012, 09:18
The last part of the article appears to be in contradiction of the first. The title is also misleading. Is the specific case mentioned the norm or the exception? One swallow doesn't make a summer.
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 12th 2012, 09:17
"Transparency" is not in Gonzi's vacabulary, "friends" more like it.
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 12th 2012, 09:36
Trust you Lawrence to attribute anything wrong to your namesake. What has the PM got to do with this, do you know that UOM is autonomous and do you know the meaning of autonomy? I suggest you google 'autonomy', it should help you increase your vocabulary.
Matthew Schembri
Nov 12th 2012, 09:55
agree 100%....nothing in the educational system is transparent
m. borg (slm)
Nov 12th 2012, 12:09
Nothing in the government is transparent
Please choose the reason of your report below: