The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) has announced the appointment of James Perry Maia as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will be replacing Rose Anne Cuschieri.

Mr Perry Maia brings over two decades of experience in education leadership, quality assurance, and institutional governance.

Before joining MFHEA, he served as Deputy Director at MCAST’s Institute of Business Management and Commerce, where he oversaw academic operations, quality systems, and student outcomes.

He previously held senior roles including Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM), Executive Director of the Archbishop’s Seminary, and Deputy/Acting Director at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS).

Mr Perry Maia also served as an Accreditation Officer at the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) and represented Malta internationally as an ECVET (European credit system for vocational education and Training) and a European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET) expert.

A graduate of the University of Malta, he holds a Master in International Marketing Management from Robert Gordon University in Scotland, along with professional qualifications in vocational teaching and training.

The MFHEA said Mr Perry Maia’s appointment marks a new chapter for the authority as it continues to strengthen Malta’s standing in quality assurance, accreditation, and recognition of qualifications in line with European and international standards.

The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri for her commitment and contributions as Chief Executive of the MFHEA and wishes her all the best for the future.

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