Alfred J. Vella elected rector of the University of Malta

Professor Alfred J. Vella has been elected by the University of Malta council as the 81st rector of the university.

An extraordinary meeting of the University Council started at 3:30pm Friday. Each of the two candidates, the other being Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, made his presentation for election. A secret ballot was then taken by 31 council members who elected Professor Vella.

He will assume the position of rector with effect from 1 July 2016.

Professor Vella was born in Bormla in November 1950. He graduated B.Sc. in 1971 and M.Sc. in 1975 from the University of Malta and Ph.D. in organic geochemistry in 1984 from Colorado School of Mines.

He joined the University of Malta in 1987.

At present, Professor Vella mainly teaches and researches the area of environmental chemistry and has published papers in international journals in environmental and pollution science and petroleum geochemistry, among others.

Prof. Vella served for many years as Head of Department of Chemistry and during 1997 and 2007 he was also Dean of the Faculty of Science. He has served as Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs since July 2006.

His commitments frequently extend beyond University walls when he acts as forensic expert in judicial inquiries and as scientific consultant to state and non-state agencies. Prof. Vella also serves on the board of governors of Malta Council for Science and Technology and the Environment and Resources Authority and he directs the National Authority of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.