Professor Alfred Vella has been elected University Rector, after an extraordinary meeting of the University Council took place earlier today. He will take over from Professor Juanito Camilleri after his second 5-year-term expires at the end of June

The post of University Rector was decided after Professor Godfrey Baldacchino and Professor Alfred Vella gave their presentations to the University of Malta Council. Professor Vella is currently pro-rector.

27 council members voted for Professor Vella, and four voted for Professor Baldacchino, sources told this newsroom.

He was interviewed by this newsroom last February.

Earlier

The process

The Council is made up of 32 members, who voted on whether to elect Professor Vella, or Professor Godfrey Baldacchino.

Candidates had been told that they have 30 minutes to make their case and answer any questions that the Council members may have had.

After the Council heard presentations from the two nominees, they cast their vote using a closed box system.

A candidate can only be nominated through a UOM Council member. The nomination period closed on 4 March with the candidacies of Professor Vella and Professor Baldacchino being the only ones put forward.

Contacted by this newsroom earlier today, Professor Alfred Vella said: “I am convinced that whoever wins the post will push the University forward as has been done over the years. The University will thrive; any rector would want to push the University further then their predecessor.

“One must remember that this is not one party against another. We are in it together, and essentially what we are doing is offering our separate and respective capacities and generosity.”

Asked about how he feels about his chances of winning, Professor Vella said he “hopes they are good, but you never know.”

Turning to future hopes of becoming rector should it not pan out his way, he said jovially that he would “walk quietly into the sunset.”

Professor Godfrey Baldacchino, had said that whatever happens, the University will ultimately “be in good hands,” adding that there was no need “to worry.”

He said that he feels “cautiously optimistic” about the vote. Asked about whether he would consider the post of rector should the vote not go his way, Professor Baldacchino said with a smile that he is “only 55 years old” and that he “hope[s] to live a few more productive years.”