Dr Jacqueline Vanhear named deputy director of UM’s Quality Support Unit

After serving as Senior Executive within the University’s Quality Support Unit, Dr Jacqueline Vanhear has been promoted to Deputy Director of the Unit.

This appointment expands her leadership in shaping institutional quality assurance strategy and strengthening educational standards across the University.

At the heart of Dr Vanhear’s leadership is a strong commitment to collaboration, active listening and sustained support for the university community. She views quality assurance not simply as a regulatory requirement, but as a dynamic driver of innovation and enhancement. Grounded in her belief that meaningful progress flourishes through open dialogue and supportive engagement, she promotes processes that are transparent, inclusive and focused on continuous improvement.

Dr Vanhear began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from the University of Malta, followed by a Master’s in Education. She later completed her PhD at the University of Staffordshire, and all her research focused on the learning process, learner variability and meaningful learning. Her scholarly work reflects a longstanding dedication to enhancing learning experiences and continues to inform her strategic approach to quality assurance as a catalyst for innovation and continuous improvement.

Before joining UM in December 2021, Dr Vanhear served as Director of the Quality Assurance Department within the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education at Malta’s Ministry for Education. In this capacity, she collaborated with local and international stakeholders and contributed significantly to the development of regulatory frameworks governing early childhood and compulsory education.

Since joining the University’s Quality Support Unit, Dr Vanhear has played a central role in reinforcing institutional quality framework and systems, fostering a culture of continuous improvement through close partnership with academic staff, students and external stakeholders.

Recently she has been selected to contribute to the European University Association thematic working group on quality assurance, along with representatives from other eight prestigious universities in Europe, that aims to explore good practices in organising and implementing quality assurance processes in European universities.

In her new role, and together with the valuable contribution of the Quality Support Unit team, Dr Vanhear will continue to foster collaborative efforts among her team and colleagues, ensuring that quality assurance remains supportive, transparent and collective endeavour designed to uphold the University of Malta’s global reputation and ranking.