Philosophy professor appointed pro-rector for Gozo university campus

Professor Joe Friggieri has been appointed Pro-Rector for Gozo in a bid plan to develop the Gozo Campus into a fully-fledged and vibrant campus of the University of Malta.

This year the Gozo Campus celebrates its 20th anniversary under the direction of Professor Lino Briguglio. It was set up originally with the aim of providing evening degree and diploma courses for those who could not pursue their studies in Malta.

Professor Friggieri has lectured on these courses since their inception. He has also been actively involved in the cultural events held there over the years.

Professor Friggieri joins the other three Pro-Rectors of the University of Malta, Professor Mary Anne Lauri for Student & Institutional Affairs; Professor Richard Muscat for Research and Innovation and Professor Alfred Vella for Academic Affairs.

Joe Friggieri is Professor of Philosophy and elected member of Senate representing the academic staff of the Faculty of Arts. He holds doctorates from Milan and Oxford and is a leading poet, playwright and theatre director.

His publications include two books on the English philosopher J.L. Austin, three volumes of poetry, three collections of short stories, a number of plays, as well as In-Nisga tal-Hsieb, the first history of philosophy in Maltese. He has won several literary awards, including the National Literary Prize three times (1993, 1999 and 2003). For his dedication to Philosophy, as well as for his significant contribution to culture and education over many years, he was made a Member of the National Order of Merit in 2008.

Friggieri was chairman of the Manoel Theatre (1990-93), member of the Broadcasting Authority (1993-96), editor of the arts journal Arti (1971-74) and of the monthly newspaper Illum (1975-80), chairman of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (2003-05), founder-editor of Kultura 21, as well as presenter and producer of cultural programmes on radio and television. He was guest research scholar and lecturer at the Universities of Venice, Amsterdam, St Andrews, Augsburg, Genova and Sassari. He is president of the Philosophy Society and a regular contributor to political, social and cultural debate.