According to a recent Eurobarometer study, the majority of Maltese youngsters find science boring and unappealing. Malta ranks among the lowest of the EU 27 nations in the uptake of science in schools, and Maltese students score low in science compared with students from other 49 countries. The Education Ministry's Directorate for Quality and Standards has announced that all stakeholders are currently working on a national strategy for science education.
Although Malta is said to be endowed with an excellent workforce, its future lies with its brains, particularly in the development of a culture that appreciates science. So it would be appropriate to start discussing how professional and curricular developments could help to improve this situation.
A science culture can only be developed if one can look at role models to follow. Our University contains the highest concentration of scientific acumen on our island, but where does the University stand as a centre for scientific activity?
Several of its laboratories - with equipment mostly over 20 years old - are a shambles. This lack of respect for our scientists and their tools typifies the lack of a culture that understands the needs of scientific research and development. The simple fact that a science-based department is allocated less than €50 annually per student for its maintenance and development gives the lie to those who say they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that science and technology advances in Malta.
What is the use of having a whole directorate dedicated to quality when, due to lack of funds, the University cannot even maintain in good working order simple basic requirements such as its safety cabinets in the laboratories?
Activities such as the X-Lab science education television series, which will be screened in January, are praiseworthy but they reflect only a little drop in the ocean of what needs to be done today rather than tomorrow.
Local scientists, teachers and many others involved in education have been crying out for years for a state-of-the-art interactive science museum to be developed like most European countries have today. Many University academics have offered their help and advice to develop such a museum. One suggestion that should be seriously considered is developing sixth form student projects, set up under their teachers' guidance, as exhibits for the museum. Suggestions like these have to be repeated over and over again to ensure they do not fall onto deaf ears.
It is said that one explanation for this political indifference towards scientific research is that few politicians are scientists themselves, and, having missed this enriching experience, they do not appreciate the relevance of research and development.
Nicholas Sammut, a Maltese who has carried out research at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), was recently appointed as the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST)'s new chairman. Hopefully, his vision to internationalise Malta's research will receive the necessary financial support. If not, where is the money going to come from to sustain local research and development?
Malta Enterprise has announced the availability of various grants to promote technological development. One hopes that some of these projects will be developed jointly with the University. This could perhaps be made a requirement for these grants to be awarded. In this way, the island's limited resources will be enhanced with industry working closely the University. There are a number of departments that have already embarked on joint research projects with the local industry. The government needs to further encourage such ventures.
On its part, the University must also reduce bureaucracy and its unnecessary centralisation which sometimes actually increases overheads even though the primary aim is a genuine attempt to reduce costs. Departments need to be given more authority on how to spend the little money afforded to research. Sometimes a high percentage of this money is just wasted.
While it is wise to ensure money is spent diligently and according to regulations, it is folly to overspend by checking that this is done to such an extent that bureaucracy inhibits the work of genuine scientists.
Funds must be allocated to enhance research and development at Mater Dei Hospital. This would enhance the hospital's reputation and possibly enable it to earn some money by offering its services on the international market.
It seems the government is not yet fully convinced that science deserves better treatment. It is up to all academics to join forces and explain calmly but firmly that Malta needs to develop a culture of science, starting from a young age up to the highest institution of learning.