Charles Farrugia, University Ombudsman, writes:

Edwin Borg Costanzi is no longer with us. Yet, the press seems to have ignored completely the passing away of the man who laid the foundations for a modern University at Tal-Qroqq.

Many regarded the former Rector as an austere and stern man.

As I came to know him better, I discovered a humane and most caring gentleman who went to all lengths to help his staff and students. His image suffered because he was such an honest and upright gentleman; and he did not suffer fools gladly.

This is not an appreciation in his honour; I leave that worthy duty to colleagues more erudite than I. I simply wish to submit a proposal that I first made as Pro-Rector to the then Rector, Roger Ellul Micallef, and which I repeated to the current Rector, Juanito Camilleri.

My suggestion was that the University’s Administration Building should be named after Edwin Borg Costanzi, or EBC, as he was respectfully referred to.

When I first voiced my suggestion, I was told that conventional practice dictated that such dedications were made following the demise of the individual concerned. I have respect for some conventions but I considered this as a particularly pointless one.

If the community feels in duty bound to show esteem for a person’s contribution to its welfare, it should do so when he can cherish the honour not after he is gone.

In any case, that is water under the bridge now. Therefore, I suggest once again that the University should honour Borg Costanzi’s memory by naming after him the building where, during his Rectorship, he practically lived 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It will be a small tribute to the man who did so much for the University and Maltese society at large.