The Maltese Council for Science and Technology (MCST) together with the Maltese Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) have announced a cooperation agreement that will lead to the two entities working together to continue to spur development in the field of digital technology.
Through this agreement, the two entities will use their skills, competences, and experiences in the sector to continue growing digital technology in our country. With this agreement, Strengthening R&I in the Digital Sector, it will also be easier to address the challenges in this area.
This collaboration is another important step in Malta Digital’s vision of Malta as a centre of excellence in the digital field.
During the signing of this agreement, which took place in Villa Bighi, Minister for the Economy, European Funds, and Lands, Silvio Schembri, said that MCST is an important link between researchers and innovators, which facilitates research collaborations while helping innovators realise their aspirations. On the other hand, MDIA was created to promote and develop the innovative technology sector in our country, by providing recognition as well as being the innovative technology regulator.
“Therefore, I am pleased to see this agreement between two entities in different Ministries collaborating together in a sector that is the present and the future in our country. As these two entities combine their experiences together, we will be ensuring that the innovative field and digital technologies are strengthened with funds for research, thus continuing to create services and projects that give more value to our communities,” said Minister Silvio Schembri.
Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, said that “Malta has been investing in research in various sectors for the past few years in order to strengthen our country’s economy and increase the operations of the public and private industries. Therefore, it is very important to have such a synergy between entities like MCST and MDIA that embrace the same vision for the technological and digital future.” He concluded by saying that through this collaboration, Malta can attract more investment and be more competitive.
Chairman of MCST, Tonio Portughese, said that “By means of this memorandum, we are not only binding ourselves to exchange information and best practices related to the field of innovative and digital technologies, but also carrying out joint workshops, seminars, and information sessions on the field of innovative and digital technologies.” He added that as public sector agencies, they can stay ahead of the curve by sharing burdens and resources, thus learning the lessons of new technology implementations together and providing a specific support structure for the digital technologies sector.
CEO of MDIA, Kenneth Brincat, said that this year the Authority, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, launched the MDIA Engage project. “With this project, we are approaching the private sector and other public entities such as MCST to better understand the digital industry and what is needed to excel in this sector, which is constantly changing. Today’s agreement is clear proof of how committed we are to seeing more support and funding for research in this sector,” said Mr Brincat.
The MOU was signed by the Chairman of MCST, Tonio Portughese, and the CEO of MDIA, Kenneth Brincat, in the presence of Minister Silvio Schembri and Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti.
