Sarah Albanozzo

The University of Malta (UM) is the sole public and highest teaching institution in Malta, with its structures being in line with the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education area. UM has a 400-year history and presently hosts 11,500 students including 1,000 foreign/exchange students from nearly 92 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses. The study programmes are designed to produce highly qualified professionals with research experience who will play key roles within industry, commerce and public affairs. Around 3,500 students graduate each year. Currently, the University comprises 14 faculties, 115 academic departments, 1 academy, 17 institutes, 13 centres, 3 schools and 11 administrative directorates. The University operates from four campuses located in Msida, Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Gozo, with three outreach centres in Argotti, Cottonera and Fawwara. The University is one of the largest employers in the country, employing 3080 people: 880 full-time and 810 part-time academics, and 1,070 full-time and 320 part-time staff in administrative, technical and industrial roles. During the last 15 years, the UM was involved as project coordinator and project partner in 365 EU-funded projects, through various funding channels. These include Horizon 2020 (70 projects), Horizon Europe (14 projects), Erasmus+ (114 projects), INTERREG EU, MED, ITALIA-MALTA (44 projects), FP7 (47 projects), Lifelong Learning Programme (76 projects). The UM is also involved in national funding programmes, other international initiatives and is even represented in a number of European and International University networks and groups. It currently has around 400 active projects.