Frank Bezzina elected as 82nd Rector of the University of Malta

Frank Bezzina has been unanimously elected as the Rector of the University of Malta. He will serve as the 82nd Rector in the University’s 257-year history.

Earlier this March, it was reported that Professor Frank Bezzina was the only candidate to contest the University of Malta’s rectorship. Now he has been formally elected to the position.

This occurred during an extraordinary meeting of the University of Malta Council on Thursday, 26 March.

Bezzina was nominated by 15 Council members, including representatives of the University’s Senate and students, members elected by academics, UM staff, and members appointed to represent the general interest of the country.

Succeeding the outgoing Rector, Alfred Vella, who first became rector in 2016, Bezzina will commence his five-year term on 1 July 2026.

During this extraordinary meeting, Rector-designate Bezzina outlined his vision of the educational institution through a presentation entitled, “Knowledge for the common good.” Bezzina envisions the University to be an institution that actively shapes Malta’s future, rather than one that reacts to change. He said that this will be achieved by working alongside communities, industry, as well as public and private institutions without compromising academic autonomy.

Bezzina declared that as Rector, his priority will be to ensure that the University’s research and teaching are of the highest quality. He noted that this depends on a strong research culture whose work directly feeds into teaching, shaping policy, strengthening professional practice, supporting innovation, and contributes to wider societal progress.

Bezzina stated that in his vision, the University of Malta is a site where learning fosters curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking. He said that these are qualities that drive social, economic, and environmental transformation for the common good, in response to real societal challenges.

He added that he hopes for the University to offer a genuinely holistic experience to its students and staff – an experience grounded in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

During his presentation to the University Council, Bezzina referenced the needs for long-term strategic planning, diversified funding, and sustainable investment. He said that these needs must build on what already works well and that we must have the courage to reform what doesn’t. He said this can be achieved by doing away with unnecessary barriers and bureaucracy, while supporting colleagues to achieve more and by gradually aligning structures, policies, and resources with strategic objectives.

Bezzina pledged that as Rector, he will listen carefully, act thoughtfully, and keep the long-term interests of the University and of the country at heart.

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Frank Bezzina elected as 82nd Rector of the University of Malta