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UM staff recognised for supporting continuous learning at the University

The University of Malta continues to be shaped by a culture of continuous learning, where its community remains dedicated to growing, contributing, and supporting others with loyalty and purpose. 

To this end, on Thursday 7 May 2026, a heartfelt ceremony was held at the Valletta Campus to recognise staff members hailing from the several offices and departments within the organisation whose dedication to sharing knowledge has helped strengthen this culture of continuous learning within the University. 

UM’s Training & Development programme has grown significantly since its inception in 2015, when the first iteration featured 13 training sessions. It has evolved into a comprehensive, university-wide initiative that reflects a sustained commitment to staff development and lifelong learning. 

To date, the programme has supported the training of 2,553 employees through 391 training initiatives, demonstrating its expanding reach and impact across the institution. It draws on a broad base of expertise, with trainers sourced both from within the University of Malta and from wider society, enriching the learning experience with diverse perspectives and professional insight. 

Further enhancements include a streamlined application process, and improved communication mechanisms, whereby participants receive calendar invitations, email confirmations, and timely reminders ahead of each training session. The initiative has also been broadened to include social and cultural activities, such as organised cultural visits, contributing to a more holistic approach to staff engagement and development.

Director of UM’s Human Resources Management and Development Office, Ms Jacqueline Fenech, opened the proceedings by explaining how the role of HR has also evolved, reinforcing the principle that development does not end at recruitment but continues throughout an employee’s career at the University. This approach has been formalised through the establishment of a dedicated Training & Development structure, including a specialised office tasked with developing and sustaining a strong training culture across UM. 

Ms Fenech expressed her gratitude to her team for their dedication in responding to a diverse range of staff needs as identified through ongoing University-wide Training Needs Analysis, as well as for the care, consistency, and professionalism with which they continue to design and deliver initiatives that strengthen this culture across the University, fueling growth and inspiring potential. 

Wellness is recognised as a strategic competitive advantage for the University of Malta and is embedded within its wider staff development framework through six core pillars: nutrition, fitness, mental health and resilience, interpersonal skills, inclusion and belonging, and health & safety. In fact, Rector-elect Professor Frank Bezzina noted that this holistic approach to wellbeing further strengthens the University’s drive towards excellence, underlining the importance of sustained investment in staff development and support. 

Outgoing Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella, highlighted the importance of loyalty to shared values and collective progress, sustained through a robust training and development culture, particularly in today’s context of higher staff turnover rates. Within this framework, he noted that it is this sense of commitment that inspires staff to go the extra mile and remain dedicated to their work. 

Each of the staff members recognised for their valuable contribution was presented with a certificate and a small token of appreciation in recognition of their service.