Today the new governmental agency Science Malta was launched which will take under its responsibility all activities related to research and innovation, including the development and implementation of national funding policy and programs , EU and international related to these areas, as well as initiatives related to space.
The agency, which will operate from the Malta Interactive Science Center (Esplora) and which will take over the role and responsibilities of the Maltese Council for Science and Technology, was officially launched by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti.
Science Malta will build on the work and investment already made by the Maltese Council for Science and Technology. The agency will also be working on updating the national R&I and space policy, as well as overseeing the implementation of the same national policy. The agency will manage and fund a wide range of research and innovation initiatives. It will also play the role of National Contact Point for Horizon Europe. This while it will continue to increase knowledge about science and education based on iSTEM.
Minister Clifton Grima said, “Science Malta is another step in the right direction to continue building on the much good that has already been done and the much that we still have to do in the research and science sectors that so much they are important and crucial for the development of our country. Through this agency there will be a stronger and more efficient structure through which the main partners of the sector will be able to benefit from help and collaboration that will lead to our country attracting new investment that will lead to better results”.
The Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti mentioned how the work of the Maltese Science and Technology Council over the years led to contributing to the economic growth in our country, as it financed a number of projects in the field of -Research and Innovation that led to new and innovative products or services.
He went on to say that during the last few years, apart from increasing the funds for research, the portfolio of research programs has also been broadened. This is leading to the strengthening of research in Malta in sectors of importance for our country, as well as in new niches and fields. He concluded by saying that this new agency will continue to build on the very good work already done by the Council so that our country continues to advance in these important areas for the future of our country.
The CEO of Xzenza Malta Silvio Scerri said that the new agency will work hard for the country to maximize the opportunities offered by the Research and Innovation sector for further diversification and growth of the economy. He said that the agency will be open to all stakeholders and will be open to new ideas, while it will focus on communication within the community, with private enterprises and academic institutions that do research.
