UM has clear procedures in place and a well-established system to plan, manage and monitor learning and teaching. This is evident in the University processes governing recruitment, induction, professional development and promotion of lecturing staff. In addition, the University offers stimulating working conditions to its staff members and promotes a positive atmosphere which encourages continuous improvement based on transparent feedback. This clear approach is reflected in the UM Strategic Plan 2020-2025 which gives due importance to teaching and learning through allocating a specific Strategic Theme on Learning and Teaching . This states that ‘The training and continuing professional development of academic staff is an essential ongoing process at all levels in their academic trajectory’. In practice this is reflected in the various professional development programmes and training courses offered to academic (as well administrative, technical) staff.
The Collective Agreement for Academic Staff of the University of Malta 2019-2023 provides details of the recruitment process of academic members of staff. Section 2 of the Collective Agreement identifies the various appointments within the resident academic stream together with their respective eligibility criteria. The agreement also defines processes related to the recruitment of Visiting and Teaching Associate staff. This comprehensive document also outlines clear, fair and transparent processes for training and promotion, while also specifying the agreed-upon work conditions. All University lecturing staff engaged on a full-time or part-time basis are subject to this Agreement as long as they form part of the grades to which the Agreement applies. Information about all lecturing staff, both full-time and part-time, is available on their respective online profiles .
The recruitment and selection process is audited on an annual basis by the UM internal auditors. The recruitment and selection process for top management positions and their related job descriptions are outlined in a comprehensive manual .
Believing in the importance of staff orientation in ensuring a constructive experience for new recruits, UM conducts several orientation programmes to its new teaching staff. These orientation programmes help introduce them to the University academic community through creating expectations and providing exposure to various types of assistance and major UM policies and regulations. In this way, with such varied orientation sessions UM makes sure the newly-recruited staff is appropriately welcomed and the on-boarding process is functioning properly in a way that promotes faculty retention.
As part of implementing its strategic theme on learning and teaching, UM conducts continuous training and development of its staff including academics. This is a collaborative effort involving various UM academic entities and administrative directorates/units coordinated by the Office for Human Resources Management & Development (HRMD). HRMD strives to provide opportunities for training and development to all UM staff. Training is provided to members of staff starting from newly recruited employees, commencing with Orientation and progressing to provide training in core competences and specialised fields. These courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of the University and its employees.
Furthermore, academic and managerial members of staff are provided with the Academic Resources Fund (ARF) and Continuous Professional Development Fund (CPD) which may be used both locally and abroad to consistently expand their training and professional development. Administrative, technical and industrial staff can also avail themselves of the Staff Work Resources Fund to provide resources for their personal and professional development. Apart from these funds, the University annually awards scholarships through the Scholarships and Bursaries Fund .
Through the establishment of the Office for Professional Academic Development (OPAD) UM has enhanced its processes of planning and implementing staff professional development in various areas of interest. The OPAD organises and designs professional development programmes, courses, and training to upskill lecturing staff.
In accordance with its vision and mission, UM seeks to attract and retain high-calibre academics while providing them with support services including an enhanced research infrastructure, internal and external funding, and clear research policies and guidelines which are promptly disseminated to all lecturing staff. The University’s academic staff members actively engage in producing outstanding quality research that contributes to existing knowledge and has local, regional and international implications. The Research Support Services Directorate (RSSD) and Project Support Office (PSO) continue to be driven by a focus on research excellence to assist staff as they compete for limited funds.
