University Rector reconfirmed by unanimous election

Held on Teusday 1 March, the council voted on the only nomination presented to the council – that of Prof Juanito Camilliar. He was nominated by Prof. Dominic Fenech, who sits on the council as one of the representatives of Senate, which Camilleri accepted.

Camilleri was re-elected to his second term as rector by a secret vote which unanimously approved his reappointment, the University of Malta said in a statement issued on Thursday. He will continue is duties as rector of Malta’s university for a further period of five years, starting on 1 July 2011.

Following his re-election, “Camilleri thanked the University Council, saying that he looked forward with renewed vigor to further strengthen the University’s vocation in teaching and research and to ensure that it enjoys its rightful standing amongst the better universities of Europe,” the UOM said.

“He emphasized the need for the University to continue to actively participate in national and regional socio-economic development through collaboration with industry and civil society at large,” the UOM said.

“Camilleri also highlighted the importance of the University’s international mission stating that the University must continue to forge strategic partnerships with prestigious international counterparts and, in so doing, project a significant international presence.”

The UOM statement also drew attention to Camilleri’s aspirations for the University, as laid out in his report titled ‘2020 Vision or Optical Illusion?’

In this document, the UOM said, “Professor Camilleri calls for the need of a clear policy direction regarding the tertiary education sector, to be endorsed ideally by all stakeholders; for the need to strengthen the University’s operational and academic autonomy, whilst retaining accountability and transparency; and for a need to secure substantially more investment to upgrade facilities and to sustain the projected growth in the scale, scope, and depth of the University’s teaching, research and outreach activities to meet European and international benchmarks.”