A Commitment Renewed: UM Rector Endorses Global University Values by Signing the Magna Charta Universitatum 2020

University of Malta Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, represented the University at King’s College London between 11 and 13 November, where he officially reaffirmed UM’s core mission and values by signing in person the Magna Charta Universitatum 2020 (MCU2020).

With this signature, Prof. Vella renewed the University of Malta’s affirmation to upholding the principles that shape a vibrant and forward-looking academic community. These include academic freedom, institutional autonomy, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to serving society.

By endorsing the MCU2020, UM joins a global community of over 1000 educational institutions working to safeguard the essential values that anchor higher education, especially in times of new risks and rapid change.

Prof. Vella’s participation formed part of the 2025 Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum, held in collaboration with the Magna Charta Observatory.

This significant gathering brought together university leaders, scholars, policymakers, and students from around the world to reflect on the enduring values that guide universities and their evolving responsibility to society.

Marking the 2020–2025 quinquennial of the updated Magna Charta Universitatum, the conference explored the central theme: “What are universities for? Higher education principles, values and responsibilities in a fragmented world.”

Across three days, participants engaged in keynote lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that examined the changing role of universities amid global challenges. The programme culminated on 13 November with a formal ceremony in which new signatories endorsed the MCU2020 and others, including the University of Malta re-affirmed their commitment to its principles.

This anniversary was not only a moment of celebration but also a powerful opportunity to share experiences, exchange best practices, and strengthen the collective resolve to uphold the values that define the global academic community.

Reflecting on the moment, Prof. Vella noted:
“It was an honour to reaffirm our commitment to the core values that define a true university: freedom of inquiry, integrity of purpose, and service to society. In an age marked by uncertainty and fragmentation, these values are not simply ideals. They are our compass. They guide our teaching, our research, and our responsibility to our nation and the world. UM stands proudly among the global community of universities dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering equity, and shaping a more just and sustainable future.”

The Magna Charta Universitatum, first declared in Bologna in 1988, is recognised as one of the most influential statements of university values worldwide. More than 1000 universities have endorsed its principles, which define the essential qualities of a university: the freedom to teach, learn, and express ideas without external pressure; governance rooted in institutional autonomy; and a responsibility to support societal development through the pursuit of knowledge.

In 2020, the MCU2020 updated and expanded this declaration for a rapidly evolving world. The revised text reinforces a commitment to sustainability, equity, global engagement, and shared responsibility, recognising the transformative impact of digital technologies and the growing complexity of global challenges.

By signing the MCU2020, the University of Malta reaffirms not only its heritage as Malta’s national university but also its vision for the future, a vision grounded in openness, excellence, and global responsibility, and driven by the belief that universities must continue to serve as catalysts for knowledge, progress, and positive societal change.