New AUM head quits over 'governance and oversight arrangements'

Updated 7.30pm with AUM response

The rector of the American University of Malta (AUM) has resigned less than six months after taking up the role, blaming "governance and oversight arrangements" at the long-controversial institution. 

Victoria Fontan, who joined AUM in July, announced her departure on LinkedIn earlier on Thursday.

In her social post, the French academic attributed her resignation to her task of bringing Afghan students fleeing the Taliban for education in Malta as having been “fully accomplished”. 

But according to a copy of her resignation letter, seen by Times of Malta, Fontan actually left the institution due to organisational changes she believed limited her ability to carry out her duties.

Fontan, a visiting fellow at Stanford University, declined to comment when contacted, instead directing Times of Malta to her LinkedIn post.

Victoria Fontan announced her resignation on LinkedIn earlier today. Screenshot: LinkedIn.

However in her letter, Fontan said that while she had accepted the position “with a clear understanding” of the rector’s responsibilities – including financial and administrative oversight, governance and reporting – recent changes at AUM had left her unable to continue in the role.

“Following the departure of my predecessor, governance and oversight arrangements were introduced which... substantially altered the conditions under which I was able to exercise the responsibilities entrusted to the rector in my contract,” she wrote.

“While I fully recognise the need for appropriate oversight, particularly given the history of the institution, the implementation of these arrangements has progressively limited my ability to provide the overall leadership, strategic direction, oversight, and representation”.

In her resignation letter, Fontan claims it was "no longer possible for me to fulfil the role with the level of accountability, clarity of authority, and institutional coherence that the position requires.”

History of controversy

The institution has been controversial since its inception when then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat described it as a "game changer" that would lead to investment. In 2015, economy minister, Chris Cardona signed an agreement with Jordanian investor Hani Salah to establish the AUM but it failed to attract the promised 4,000 students within four years. 

There were also protests over original plans to base the institution on a virgin tract of government land at Żonqor Point, Marsascala. It was later decided to allocate the historic but dilapidated buildings at Dock One in Cospicua, on the condition that Żonqor would only be developed in case of further expansion.

In 2019, plans to expand the institution’s footprint in Cospicua were met with opposition from Cottonera residents.

Students at AUM pictured in November. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Prior to taking up her post at the AUM, Fontan occupied various positions, including provost and vice president, at the American University of Afghanistan during her six years in the country. She was forced to leave Afghanistan when the Taliban retook power in a lightning offensive in 2021. 

When contacted, Fontan stressed her decision would not impact students from Afghanistan brought to Malta when she took up the post.

"They are here on a regular student visa, their stay in Malta is not at risk, and we are following the normal processes for foreign students studying here," she said.

Fontan was also visiting professor at New York's Colgate University between 2004 and 2005, before spending eight years at the UN-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has taught in Kurdistan and Columbia and co-founded the Alliance for the Education of Women in Afghanistan organisation. 

'Clear governance structures'

Responding to the news, AUM insisted "no changes have been made that compromise the institution's functioning or academic leadership". 

"The University has clear governance structures that align with international higher-education standards and with the requirements of the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority. These arrangements continue to operate effectively and support the University’s academic mission and institutional development," AUM told Times of Malta.

"Any operational adjustments made fall within standard institutional oversight practices intended to ensure compliance, quality assurance, and organisational efficiency."

Asked why Fontan had decided to resign, they replied they are "legally precluded" from discussing any employment-related matters but "thanked Professor Fontan for her contribution during her tenure".