Contract for distance-learning conservation education

The Malta Centre for Restoration yesterday signed a contract with Loral Cyberstar Europe, one of the leading suppliers of satellite-based services worldwide, to provide the telecommunication system for an innovative distance-learning project in conservation education.

The contract was awarded by the centre in its capacity as the contracting authority for the IKONOS Project, valued at over €3 million, one of the largest EU-funded projects to be designed, won and administered by a Maltese organisation on behalf of a consortium of eight countries involved in the project.

The contract, valued at €800,000, will establish the Malta Centre for Restoration as a hub for transmission of conservation education programmes via satellite to the Mediterranean region with a special emphasis on North Africa.

Cyberstar Europe won the contract against stiff competition from the leading international companies operating in the sector. Cyberstar is a leading satellite provider of high-quality data, voice, video, and internet backbone delivery to multinational enterprises and service providers such as carriers and internet service providers.

IKONOS marks the first time that such advanced satellite technology is being used to deliver distance learning in conservation education. The concept was totally developed in Malta by MCR.

MCR has also initiated an e-Heritage project that was published in Brussels and which is already attracting new partners for the next round of applications for EU funds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday, Education Minister Louis Galea said the EU's 6th Framework Protocol opened in Brussels this month and some of the first bids for funding under the new protocol are expected to be submitted around April next year.

"As an organisation in an EU applicant country, MCR can take advantage of the new calls for applications and can apply for fresh funding for new projects. This would not have been possible had Malta not applied to join the EU."

"MCR is receiving countless calls for participation in Culture 2000 projects by collaborators from within EU member states. MCR cannot yet participate in Culture 2000 in its own right since Malta is not yet a member state - but as an organisation in an applicant state it can be invited to join in. When Malta joins the EU, MCR will be able to request funds under Culture 2000 and similar programmes by right and without paying fees to access the programmes, thus injecting further funds into the Cultural Heritage scene in Malta."