The official installation ceremony of Prof. Frank Bezzina as the 82nd Rector of the University of Malta has just been held at the University of Malta.

Prof. Bezzina officially begins his five-year term on July 1, 2026, succeeding Prof. Alfred J. Vella, who served as Rector from 2016 until the end of his tenure. As the University’s 82nd Rector, Prof. Bezzina will lead the institution through the next five years, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its leadership.

Prof. Bezzina pays tribute to outgoing Rector and sets vision for the future

Addressing those present during the official installation ceremony, Prof. Frank Bezzina described it as a privilege to pay tribute to his predecessor, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, and said it had been a pleasure to work alongside him over the past five years in his role as Pro-Rector.

“Being elected Rector fills me with a deep sense of determination and hope,” Prof. Bezzina said.

He described the University of Malta as a place where ideas are born, tested and ultimately take flight.

“Our University is where Malta’s future is questioned and built,”he said, adding that it education has the power to empower individuals and illuminate the path towards a more compassionate, just and sustainable world.

Prof. Bezzina said his priority as Rector would be to create an environment where innovation can thrive. “As Rector, I will foster the conditions needed for innovation to flourish,” he said. He closed his speech by thanking all those who attended the ceremony and those who followed it through live streaming. He thanked his wife and kids and those who always stood by his side.