Marine research seminar

THE IOI-Malta Operational Centre of the University of Malta, in collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology, is organising a half-day seminar on January 27, at Corinthia San Gorg. St Julian's between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The main targets are to give an overview on the key issues and trends in Malta concerning marine research and related developments in marine affairs, within the context of international drivers, and with a viewpoint on the potential role of our country in the Mediterranean.

Serving as a marine forum for sharing, amalgamating and concretising ideas as well as for synergising initiatives, the seminar is expected to produce important insights on the pace of research and innovation needed to gear our marine sector towards a viable future, on some key emerging and prospective opportunities, and on the best strategy to reach set goals.

The seminar will also address Malta's needs to establish its marine environmental monitoring programme including a coastal sea operational observing system to fully comply to its environmental obligations as a new EU member.

The seminar is being held in conjunction with the fifth Meeting of the MAMA/MedGOOS project which will be attended by leading marine scientists from the Mediterranean region, and representing key marine research centres with activities related to ocean monitoring and forecasting.

The seminar will be addressed by the Prime Minister, followed by keynote speeches and presentations from foreign and local experts. It will also overview and assess the ongoing, planned and potential developments in marine research in Malta, and provide a forum to discuss the way forward for improving marine research, technological development and innovation, with highlights on the needs and aspirations both on a local and regional scale.

The seminar programme will comprise regional aspects dealing mainly on the role of Malta in strengthening the EU-Mediterranean Co-operation in the marine sector within the framework of a future Euro-Med Research Area.

The second part of the seminar will be dedicated to some recent local marine-related activities and initiatives that have a special bearing to marine observations and environmental monitoring. A wider showcase on other projects will be presented by a dedicated poster session that will be organised during the meeting.

Representatives of key stakeholders in the marine sector, particularly individuals holding key positions in public and private organisations, agencies, institutions and departments with marine-related activities should attend. Representatives of key ministries relevant to marine affairs, national representatives and focal points to the EC related to the marine sector, governmental agencies, and authorities, leading marine scientists, representatives of the marine research management community and representatives of the marine industries and services sector are invited to attend.

For further details contact Dr Aldo Drago (e-mail: aldo.drago@um.edu.mt) or Matthew Scerri (matthew.scerri@um.edu.mt) or visit www.capemalta.net/news/halfdayseminar/seminar.html