‘Not everything can be taught through textbooks’ – MUHC CEO Chris Schinas

As CEO of Malta University Holding Company (MUHC) since 2023, Chris Schinas is steadily reshaping this commercial arm of the University of Malta. Drawing on 16 years within the organisation, he has expanded educational offerings, built a trusted consultancy function, grown the student accommodation portfolio, and revitalised the Campus 103.7 radio station. In 2026, Chris continues to position MUHC as a focused, commercially agile entity – while staying firmly rooted in the university’s academic mission.

Chris Schinas holds a role that is uniquely layered, even by most CEO standards. At the helm of Malta University Holding Company (MUHC), he runs a private company that operates within the framework of a public institution. It requires him to manage commercial realities with academic values – two worlds that don’t always move in the same direction.

“We carry the challenges of a public entity and the pressures of a private one, and we must excel at both,” Chris notes. “Juggling the two can sometimes be difficult.” This balancing act has become a key part of his leadership approach – and one that is bearing fruit. Under his watch, MUHC has delivered considerable growth over the last three years.

“I see my role as using the university’s name, its facilities and its resources to build a successful commercial arm,” he explains. “The university, being a public entity, cannot make money directly from commercial activities, so we must find creative and innovative ways to fit such activities within the board’s vision.”

Well-placed to bridge that middle ground, Chris spent 16 years at MUHC, having joined in 2009 as Manager of the Malta University Residence in Lija. From there, he moved through a series of roles that gave him a wide perspective across different corners of the group’s operations. When asked to run the then-newly opened Hotel Kappara in San Ġwann, he gained first-hand experience of the hospitality and accommodation side of the business. By 2017, he was appointed Group Chief Operations Officer at MUHC – and in 2023, he stepped into the CEO role following his predecessor’s departure.

“The promotion came naturally,” he reflects, “because I already had experience across most of the sectors in which the business was involved. Being a group of companies, there’s always a lot to learn – and that, for me, is the fun part.”

As his responsibilities evolved, his leadership style matured in parallel. “Not everything can be taught through textbooks,” he notes. “You need to develop your instincts on the job. Since I’ve experienced several different scenarios and challenges, I don’t panic easily. I take my time to think things through before responding.”

Leaning into this level-headed approach to leadership, Chris guided MUHC through its relocation to Campus Hub – a significant milestone that has served as a transformative shift for the organisation. Previously, MUHC’s 50-strong employees were scattered across different locations, outside university grounds – but having everyone now operating under one roof offers key advantages.

“Moving to Campus Hub has made an enormous difference. It makes collaboration smoother and communication quicker across the team,” Chris explains, highlighting that the move brought him physically closer to university board members, allowing for more efficient discussions and faster alignment when needed. “Being on university grounds has also made us more accessible to students and more visible as a brand. It’s been very beneficial for us.”

Meanwhile, one of MUHC’s standout successes has been the rise in popularity of the Malta University Language School, with Chris and his team working to expand its reach, particularly across Asian markets. He credits much of that momentum to the school’s direct affiliation with the University of Malta, a significant differentiator in an industry largely dominated by TEFL and FELTOM-aligned schools.

“Students coming from abroad recognise us as having a higher standard of education since we’re part of the university,” he says. The school’s move to Campus Hub has strengthened that proposition, too, placing students close to a modern shopping mall, food court and other convenient amenities. “It gives them the full lifestyle package, not just the educational aspect,” Chris notes.

Another key growth driver has been MUHC’s expanding range of short courses, which epitomise how Chris’ team leverages university expertise commercially without overlapping with academic programmes. “Our short courses aren’t in competition with the university. They’re filling a gap, since they cater for subjects that are often not taught there,” he explains.

The courses cover practical, real-life skills, from how to complete tax forms and navigate the intricacies of GDPR, to how to care for loved ones living with dementia or following a stroke. “Our approach is to understand people’s growing needs and offer something genuinely useful,” Chris says. “Our courses are designed to easily fit around their jobs and their lives.”

The consultancy arm has also tapped directly into the university’s academic expertise, engaging lecturers and specialists as consultants and giving clients access to niche subject knowledge. Projects have ranged from Government contracts and technical studies on traffic flow, green areas and waterworks, to assignments with private companies, including boutique hotel developments. Under Chris’ tenure, MUHC undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its radio station, rebranding Campus FM to Campus 103.7 and completing a full studio refurbishment. The aim, Chris highlights, was to “move away from a niche academic approach to something that could draw an extended audience.”

The shift is already paying off. With well-known talent such as DJ Colin Fitz taking over the prime drive-time slot, the station is attracting a younger audience and delivering on a broader purpose. “It’s also become a powerful outreach channel, helping MUHC promote courses, share updates and engage not only with students and academics, but with the wider local community,” he shares.

Drawing on his long history in MUHC’s accommodation arm, hospitality remains an area Chris is particularly passionate about – and a key pillar of his strategy for the coming years. Now one of MUHC’s most valuable assets, Hotel Kappara is in the early stages of applying to build two additional floors. “This move would increase capacity and strengthen MUHC’s offering for students and long-stay guests,” he reveals.

Also on his strategic radar, Chris shares that he and his team are considering acquiring a property in Valletta, which would serve as a boutique-style hotel close to the university’s Valletta campus. “It would create a base for visiting academics and guest speakers, as well as travellers wanting to stay in the capital,” he explains. While still in its early stages, the project signals the kind of measured, strategically grounded expansion Chris believes in, as he leads MUHC into its next phase of transformation.

“We’re always looking to expand,” he says, “but we don’t want to change anything that’s tried and tested. I’m a huge fan of sustainability – which is why I prefer to build on what we already have, as we did with Campus 103.7 and our educational offerings. Our goal is to innovate, explore and make the most of commercial opportunities, while staying sustainable and always in alignment with the university’s long-term vision,” the CEO concludes.

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in MaltaCEOs 2026 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders.