Rector Elect Prof. Frank Bezzina has announced the new pro-rector team who will be appointed at the University of Malta in the coming weeks.

They will be appointed when Prof. Bezzina takes up office on the 1st of July. The team will be made up of five pro-rectors.

Prof. Joseph Cacciotolo will be appointed as Pro-Rector Academic Affairs and Lifelong Learning. He has served as Pro-Rector Academic Affairs since 2016.  He is the co-chair of the Humanities, Medicine and Science Platform, which falls under the Faculty of Arts.

This pro-rectorate steers academic policy, programme development and teaching and learning, and it also expands flexible and lifelong learning opportunities.

Prof. Ing. Simon Fabri will be appointed Pro-Rector Research and Knowledge Transfer. He has occupied the same pro-rector role since 2021. Prof. Fabri is a Professor in the Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

This pro-rectorate supports and shapes the University’s research agenda, innovation ecosystem and knowledge transfer activities.

Prof. Noellie Brockdorff will be appointed Pro-Rector People, Quality and Communications.

Prof. Brockdorff is a Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science. She has been head of the department since 2011.

This pro-rectorate oversees staff and student affairs, strategic communications, quality assurance and enhancement,

Prof. Vincent Cassar will be appointed Pro-Rector Strategic Implementation and Sustainability.

Professor Cassar is a Professor in the Department of Business and Enterprise Management. He had served as Head of Department between 2021 and 2025.

This pro-rectorate will focus on the implementation of the University’s strategic plan.

Prof. Leonie Baldacchino will be appointed Pro-Rector Internationalisation, Enterprise and Outreach.

Prof. Baldacchino is an Associate Professor in the Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation. She had served as the institute’s director from 2013 to 2022.

This pro-rectorate will lead the University’s global engagement, partnerships and enterprise initiatives,