The University of Malta is to formally receive the title of ownership of the property known as the Old University Building in Valletta and will instead hand the government the Tal-Qroqq land on which the national pool was built.

A memorandum of understanding for the exchange was signed this morning in the last executive action by rector Juanito Camilleri before handing over the rectorship to Prof. Alfred Vella.

The property exchange has to be ratified by parliament.

The Old University Building in Valletta was built by the Jesuits in 1592 and was the original seat of the University of Malta. It is still used for lectures and other university activities but is owned by the government.

The newly introduced handing over ceremony for the new rector was presided by the Chancellor, Professor David Attard. Itstarted with a procession of the academic body from the Old University campus to the University Church. 

The university’s ceremonial mace was re-introduced during the ceremony and will be used in future for the official opening of the academic year and at the granting of doctoral and honoris causa degree ceremonies.

Like many of its long-established counterparts abroad, the University of Malta originally enjoyed the privilege of having its own mace, which is known to have been used on ceremonial occasions in the late 1700s.

The mace stands for a university’s internal authority and autonomy, its prerogative to grant degrees, and its academic integrity as a seat of higher studies and custodian of an enduring tradition of learning. 

The President of Council, Dr Michael Sciriha, read the Declaration of Council announcing Prof Vella's election.

Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri unrobed and Professor Alfred J. Vella was robed as the new Rector. The University Chancellor gave the scroll to the Rector Elect, who then read his affirmation.