Research and innovation

The University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA) is pleased to note that Finance Minister John Dalli is concerned about the relatively low number of people with tertiary level education in Malta and about the consequent shortage of research and innovation on the island (September 30).

It is indeed encouraging to note that the government recognises the need for innovation. Before the last election, UMASA had written to both political parties about the urgent need to enhance the research capability of our nation. Mr Dalli's statements show him to be in perfect agreement with this. However, UMASA must emphasise that innovation does not sprout overnight. Innovation is the result of painstaking and intelligent research. Like the education of the labour force, innovation and research need careful planning and investment.

National funding is required to enhance the research infrastructure and to support research programmes in the national interest. This, in turn, would enhance the country's capability to attract additional funding from European Union research programmes which should only complement the national input.

Comparing the level of education of the Maltese labour force with the European average is a very healthy exercise. It is, however, incomplete unless the percentages of the GDP devoted to education (especially at the tertiary level) and to research and development (R&D) in Malta are also compared to those of the EU.

There are no official figures on funding levels for R&D in Malta but it is indicative to note that during the last academic year the university did not even consider applications for funds in support of new or existing research projects, owing to budget restraints, and that, in the preceding year, research funding was minimal.

We are aware of the trade-offs which the finance minister must make when planning the distribution of money among the different national priorities. However, the government must demonstrate determination in tackling this problem by channelling the requisite resources where they can generate the highest return. The number of university students has increased by a staggering 1,200 per cent (12-fold) since 1987 but the number of academic staff has not increased significantly, notwithstanding the vast number of new courses offered to meet the demands of a modern economy. Moreover, the yearly financial allocations to faculties are being reduced to enable the university to keep up with other ever increasing expenses and to enable the government to pay stipends to the increasing student population. The yearly stipends bill for university students will soon catch up with and exceed the sum allocated to the university, if the present trend is maintained. Such circumstances are clearly unsustainable.

Nevertheless, the human resource is, as it always has been, the only one of substance in Malta. Thus, to enhance the research capability and economic situation of our nation, university teaching and research must be adequately funded without further delay.

Overstretching resources at the university only serves to justify claims that it is being transformed into a glorified but poorly funded post-secondary school. Is not this in clear conflict with government policy?