The Office for Professional Academic Development (OPAD) is piloting an Academic Mentoring Programme (AMP) to support new and early career academics during their initial years at the University of Malta. The scope of this initiative is designed to help them navigate the various roles and responsibilities expected, particularly as they progress through the tenure track process.

The AMP will pair early career academics (mentees) with senior, experienced colleagues (mentors) who provide advice, share knowledge and offer ongoing support over several months. The programme consists of structured meetings, goal-setting, progress evaluations, and feedback mechanisms to ensure meaningful development. Mentees will receive tailored guidance to succeed in teaching, research, administrative duties, community outreach, funding initiatives, and other academic responsibilities.

An orientation session facilitated by Charlotte Bonner-Evans, an international expert on academic mentoring, was held on Thursday 28 November for all those participating in this pilot project. Mentors and mentees will meet for a number of times during this academic year and then provide feedback about this mentoring experience in a final meeting to be held in September 2025. 

This pilot programme complements and builds on the work done at the faculty/departmental level and operates separately from the tenure award and promotional processes of the University. There are 26 early career academics and 21 senior academics participating in the pilot AMP. Prof. Maria Cassar and Dr Michelle Attard Tonna are the academic leads of this pilot project.