In the implementation process of the Strategic Plan 2020-2025, the University is engaging in an intensive exercise that turns strategic objectives into actions to achieve its vision and mission.
The University is proudly witnessing the growth of a ‘culture of implementation’ throughout its 160 units, composed of 115 faculty departments, 18 institutes, 13 centres, 3 schools and 11 administrative directorates. This is no mean feat, as implementation requires the motivation and mobilisation of 3,180 full-time and part-time staff to implement different areas of the Strategic Plan.
The implementation process pivots on the following methods developed to inspire, motivate and monitor progress.
Regular updates are provided to the Senate, Council and University community regarding the implementation of each Strategic Theme:
The Internal Audit Function provides the Council, Rector and other management of the University with an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of management’s internal control systems with a focus on the Services and Administrative Objectives within the Strategic Plan and the University's administrative regulations.
As part of the internal auditing process, the University's academic and administrative units are reviewed on a regular basis with respect to administrative operations, the use of resources and the implementation of institutional objectives.
The Internal Audit Report is drafted at the end of each unit's audit. A closure meeting is held with the auditee to discuss the findings and recommendations. The formal draft report is sent to the auditee for further feedback and to complete the action plan on the document. A follow-up audit is conducted, requiring evidence that recommendations have been implemented. The final report for each unit is sent to the Audit and Risk Committee members, the Rector, the University Secretary and the head of the respective units.
The Internal Quality Assurance unit provides the Senate, Rector and senior management of the University with an assessment of academic processes, with a focus on Learning and Teaching Objectives within the Strategic Plan and the University’s academic regulations.
As part of the internal quality assurance process, the University's academic units are reviewed on a regular basis with respect to academic operations, compliance with legal programme requirements, development of programmes and the implementation of institutional objectives.
The Periodic Programme Review (PPR) is integral to the University’s Internal Quality Assurance unit and reviews the implementation of the Strategic Plan's administrative objectives. The University has a rolling system of peer reviews in which all academic programmes of UM run by its academic departments, institutes, centres and schools are reviewed on a periodic basis in terms of their alignment with the University's mission, vision and strategy, with a focus on the Learning and Teaching Objectives within the Strategic Plan and the University’s academic regulations.
The aim of the PPR is to monitor the quality and standards of the provision of the University’s educational programmes, qualifications and courses. It provides the basis for ongoing quality enhancement to assist in achieving excellence in learning, teaching and research at UM.
The PPR process draws on Malta’s National Quality Assurance Framework for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE, 2015) and adheres to Internal QA standards as well as the principle of “ongoing monitoring and periodic review of programmes to ensure objectives are met and respond to the needs of the students and society” (NCFHE, 2015). Underpinning the PPR process and a prerequisite for success is continuous enhancement as embodied by the quality cycle.
The PPR report, with the academic units' feedback and the plan of action, is submitted to the International Quality Review panel, which may revert to academic units for further discussions or clarifications if required. The finalised PPR report is submitted to the Pro-Rector for Quality Assurance and the Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs for their consideration and then presented to the Senate.
The University organised a series of eight Strategic Implementation Fora during the academic year 2021/22 for staff, students and external stakeholders dedicated to the eight Strategic Themes. The objective was to showcase examples of successful implementation across the University's units and to share knowledge and skill of implementation through working groups.
The series of thirteen University Fora for Industry being carried out during academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24, reflect the Industry Impact Objectives within the Strategic Plan.
Each forum is dedicated to Malta's economic pillars and aims to disseminate academic knowledge and industry expertise. The Fora resonate with the University of Malta's commitment and mission to empower the nation and bring innovation into all operations, including management, training and research. The expert panels reflect the knowledge developed on the subject within the University of Malta. The University embraces a philosophy of multidisciplinarity throughout its academic and administrative units, and the topics of the fora are visible in a wide range of academic curricula, diplomas, degrees and high-level research projects. The discussions during the events shed light on activities across the University that reflect cutting-edge practices in the industry.