Vodafone and Degreeplus in creativity and innovation initiative

Creativity and innovation were the themes of a talk which Vodafone Malta chief executive officer Inaki Berroeta delivered to university students attending the Degreeplus programme, a totally new venture of the University of Malta.

The programme, launched in October last year, is aimed at equipping students with the right tools to acquire those skills and competencies which results in a holistic education.

Vodafone is inviting students to submit to Vodafone their creative and innovative ideas. "All ideas will be considered and do not necessarily need to be technically oriented. After being reviewed, students can then develop any idea they might have. A number of rewards will be given to the most innovative idea," said Berroeta.

Through the 'My Ideas' initiative, participants are being encouraged to develop their own concept, after which Vodafone might also offer its assistance.

Successful ideas are sent to the New Product Development (NPD) committee for review and those approved will proceed to the prototype stage. The necessary mechanism is then set in motion to develop the prototype into a product. Submission forms are obtainable from Vodafone at www.vodafone.com.mt/page/whoarewe_myideas.html.

Degreeplus seeks to provide a framework to bridge the gap between university and the work environment, whereby students gain knowledge via a less formal type of interaction. Originally, Degreeplus featured five streams: ICT, entrepreneurship culture and heritage, languages and voluntary work.

Given the high interest generated and feedback provided by students, the programme has expanded into new streams and undertakings.