Professor Alfred J Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, hosted the eighth and last Strategic Implementation Forum focusing on Sustainability on 25 May 2022 as part of a series of Fora held this semester, for the entire University community of students, staff and stakeholders. Each forum was dedicated to one of the University's Strategic Themes, showcasing examples of successful implementation across University entities and sharing knowledge through working groups.

The University is developing a ‘culture of implementation’ throughout its 115 faculty departments, 34 institutes and centres and 11 administrative directorates, which is no mean feat as implementation requires the motivation and mobilisation of 3,180 full-time and part-time staff to elements of the strategy and translating them into actions at different levels.

Professor Tanya Sammut-Bonnici, Pro-Rector for Strategic Planning and Enterprise, provided a recap of the University's 8 Strategic Themes, namely learning and teaching, research and knowledge transfer, societal factors and impact, enterprise and industry impact, national impact, international outlook, sustainability, services and administrative support. These priority areas are guiding academics, administrative, technical and industrial staff in aligning daily activities with decision-making and the allocation of resources.

Prof Maria Attard, Chair, Committee for Sustainability @ University of Malta (C-SUM) and Director, Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, outlined the Main Commitments 2020-2025: Sustainability. Prof Attard introduced the C-SUM and explained its crucial role to facilitate both the communication and implementation of the strategy commitments to be mainstreamed across all functions including administration, teaching and research, with the aim to make the University a living laboratory of good sustainability practices.

Prof Maria Attard, also focused on the Strategic Commitment “Encourage sustainable transport measures” showcasing the practical implementation of new sustainable transport measures having been recently adopted as part of the Green Travel Plan. The Active Travel Campaign creates awareness and engagement through branding, such as 'Make Your Choice’ posters around campus, collecting data, providing supporting infrastructure and training for cyclists, and celebrating walking and cycling champions. Activities to support walking and cycling to Campus have also been extended through way-finding signage to nearby localities. C-SUM is also collaborating with the Institute of Physical Education and Sports and others, to promote healthy living and practices on campus, through the provision of walking routes and water fountains around the Campus. 

Prof Ruben Paul Borg, Associate Professor, Faculty for the Built Environment, focused on the Strategic Commitment “Develop sustainable land and buildings” outlining the key action for Sustainability Assessment of Campus and Building assets and presented main challenges including land-use constraints, quality of space, green buildings and flexibility to address future needs. Prof Borg explained how sustainability assessment tools, based on indicators and adapted for the Mediterranean region, are applied at the urban space and building scale across UM, in the construction of new and the upgrading of existing buildings, to measure sustainability. This is supported through a training programme at UM, intended to strengthen the adoption of green measures with consideration of future needs.

Ing Reuben Mifsud, Manager, Estates, Facilities and Capital Development Directorate and Ing Francarl Galea, Senior Systems Engineer, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, focused on the Strategic Commitment “Reduce, reuse and recycle waste”. Ing Reuben Mifsud outlined the main elements of the pilot project currently underway on the collection and effective separation of waste and explained how CSUM has proposed initiatives to reduce paper usage and following discussions with the canteen operator, has phased out the distribution of single-use plastic elements. Ing Francarl Galea illustrated several examples of how sustainability measures are being implemented in energy usage on campus, particularly through the installation of photovoltaic systems, LED light fittings and high-efficiency A/Cs with centrally controlled timers and temperature limits, explaining how these projects together with the installation of a smart metering system across all entities will reduce the energy usage.

Dr Marie Briguglio, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, focused on the Strategic Commitment “Deliver training and research on sustainability” outlining efforts underway to ensure that all students at UM learn about sustainability, the UM's reporting on the UI Green Metric and the possibility of reporting on other metrics in future. Dr Briguglio further mentioned the development of the UM website on Sustainability and efforts and regular communications by C-SUM in this regard and invited participants to complete the C-SUM questionnaire available online which helps the UM to record engagement in teaching and research on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Following the keynote speeches, Working Groups were organised to discuss current and future activities that reflect elements of the Forum’s Strategic Theme on Sustainability. The Working Groups were led by: 

- Prof Ruben Paul Borg, Associate Professor, Faculty for the Built Environment

- Dr Marie Briguglio, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

- Ing Francarl Galea, Senior Systems Engineer, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology and Ing Reuben Mifsud, Manager, Estates, Facilities and Capital Development Directorate

- Prof David Magri, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science

The University reasserts its commitment to the 8 Strategic Themes as a roadmap for our academic and administrative community, where staff and students strive for higher standards and diligent implementation. 

The Summary - UM Strategic Plan 2020-2025 synthesises the stakeholders’ drive for continuous development which guides staff and students to collectively achieve the goals and vision of the University of Malta.