MCST chairman welcomes funding boost for science
Doubling the money allocated for research, development and innovation has left an incredulous Malta Council for Science and Technology chairman "completely over the moon" and rearing to embark on health, ICT and energy projects.
Nicholas Sammut, who is also a researcher at Cern, home to the world's largest scientific experiment, is ecstatic about what he is sensing to be a shift in Maltese culture which, he says, considers research and development to be a cost rather than an investment.
"We are realising that if we do not invest in new products, services and ideas, we will lose our competitive edge, especially internationally. Science and technology cannot afford to play second fiddle," Dr Sammut stressed.
In the 2010 Budget, the government increased the national vote for an area that has been relatively absent from the agenda to €700,000 from the "worrying" €350,000 Dr Sammut found in his kitty when he was appointed to the post in January.
But in all, the "deserved boost" to research amounts to €1.7 million, including €500,000 for the University trust fund for research and €250,000 for each of two proposals by Malta Enterprise, the University and Mcast - a human genome databank and a strategy for digital gaming production.
And all this came in a decisive year that had been economically and financially challenging, Dr Sammut pointed out, adding that "the government has shown the leadership and courage to back research and development, and the maturity to prioritise it".
It was also a show of faith in local researchers from industry and academia, recognising the research community's efforts. Whereas before, movements were only felt in industry, now even the bridge between the two was being funded, Dr Sammut said, explaining that research required a "whole ecosystem" to take an idea to commercialisation.
Malta Enterprise, the University and Mcast, despite each falling under a separate ministry, were managing to consolidate their efforts, which he considered to be a step in the right direction.
That would entail focusing on four main areas: health and biotechnology; ICT; high value-added manufacturing; and energy and the environment.
Identified as having the most local potential, the ideas that fell into these categories - about 20 - would be discussed and prioritised. Until now, they lacked the necessary funding, Dr Sammut said.
The council also plans to team up with foreign experts to increase the local capacity and try and attract even more funds with the money available.
"I want to make sure every single euro is spent in the right way and that we support the best ideas that can be commercialised and create economic benefit," Dr Sammut said.
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Raymond Sammut
Nov 15th 2009, 01:01
Malta has to be serious in finding where the brains and the passions are. No-one should give preference to one area of science over another. It is true that some areas are more conducive to immediate technological development and commercialization. However, the raw resource is the scientists themselves, and these are people. This means that one cannot induce them to be what they are not, but instead harness their personal scientific propensities. The rewards will be reaped in due course under good management.
The aim of the relevant institutions is to identify, setup locally, and partner with existing research groups overseas, Maltese "heads" (qara hamra) that are suited for the science and technological endeavour. I still think that anything under a million euros remains too little. The Maltese government cannot pull a figure out of a hat just to look good or to clear its conscience (if it ever had any). Any sum allotted in a budget for R&D needs to be commensurate with prevailing local science potential. I propose that science in Malta would be worth more than a million by any standard. Research on science research potential itself needs to be carried out well ahead of budget.
John Abela
Nov 14th 2009, 20:12
I suggest the first step is to step into nano technology...which is norm for the modern world and the greatest breakthroughs are being invented in the nano technology sector..from health issues to solar energy..printing chips on boards... to name a few...
this is one of the latest state ot the art microscope which one can use for nano and micro meter scale technology ..thru advanced optics Atomic Force Microscopy and 3d imaging on computers to manipulate.
http://www.pv-tech.org/product_briefings/_a/new_product_the_alpha500_from_witec_enables_comprehensive_characterization/
Jesmond Micallef
Nov 14th 2009, 19:48
This is indeed good news, no doubt. I am very happy that the Maltese Government has at last ackowledged the importance of Research and Development. The Maltese people are very creative indeed and Education in Malta is also very competitive. Such a combination will no doubt produce very good quality research, with applicability to real life problems.
I congratulate the Government of Malta for such initiative. Well done indeed.
Joseph V. Grech
Nov 14th 2009, 16:40
Well done to the government for this much-needed initiative. May we use the brains and capabilities of our people not least the young. Research and innovation are indeed MUSTS if we are to meet the challenges facing our country, our society. We CANNOT simply just LOOK ON expecting the Manna to drop from heaven! It is up to all of us to strive to better our position - both locally and internationally.
Hopefully the funds being earmarked will be properly used - in the interests of the many - and not of any undeserving individuals, that is! This last point is crucial. I strongly believe that the Malta Council for Science and Technology chairman Dr. Nicholas Sammut will strive to ensure that this essential requirement is met. Keep the hungry wolves away!
Raymond Sammut
Nov 14th 2009, 16:05
@ Marco Cremona
I've just visited the site you have pointed at. First and foremost I wish to congratulate you on your success in this project which has won you a short listed posie.
I didn't go through all the many comments --and your replies-- which so many are leaving on that site.
Here I should point out that your novel design for the purpose of quick turnover of recycled water generated by hotels/motels/hostels is likely to have a definitive economic benefit in Australia. On many occasions, a cost-benefit analysis would halt a potential tourism investment
because the cost of water in outback Australia is prohibitive. The recent case of the Mary River proposed dam and the ongoing case of the Cotter Dam project can shed light on Australia's difficulties with water availability and on the importance of your design can have in this country.
Australian farmers and hostel operators located deep inland could benefit in the long term from a commercial installation provided that the initial and ongoing maintenance costs can be manageable. I can see no reason as to why your design could not be rapidly commercialised and distributed widely in this dry continent.
Marco Cremona
Nov 14th 2009, 12:51
I congratulate the government for putting its money where its mouth is and (finally) investing substantially in research, development and innovation. I have full faith in Nicholas Sammut in pushing forward the national R&I agenda such that it yields tangible commercial benefits. The guy is as focused and dedicated as they come.
What I can say is that I am one of the innovators/entrepreneurs who benefitted from the MCST R&I grants in the past, and thanks to this seed funding managed to turn a wild idea into a commercially viable product that has won international recognition.
I refer to my HOTER project that converts sewage from hotels into safe potable water, at a fraction of the cost of conventional water sources. This would not have been possible had it not been for the seed finding from the 2006 R&I programme.
I encourage all readers to watch the CNBC TV channel tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) at 7.00pm to see what levels home-grown research can reach.
Check out www.goodentrepreneur.com
richard galea
Nov 14th 2009, 11:10
Must admit that this Budget showed a sense of vision from this Government........usually I have no time for the folly shown in the previous Nationalist budgets.........
Raymond Sammut
Nov 14th 2009, 10:41
"...he is sensing to be a shift in Maltese culture which, he says, considers research and development to be a cost rather than an investment."
It's not "Maltese culture". Maltese culture has got nothing to do with it. The Maltese have always been inventive, and supported progress emanating from science and technology.
It all has to do with Maltese parliamentarians -- tobba, avukati w periti jajru lil xulxiien fil-parliament. Qatta cwiec, u in-nies jipqaw jivvutaghwlhom ghax m'hemmx aktar lil min jivvutaw; jew minn ghalihom li ghax tobba, avukati w periti huma xi bravi. Kull ma jaghmlu jaqraw ktieb u jiftakruh bl-amment ghal-ezami. Ricerka? X'ricerka? Mela dawk jafu xi tfisser ricerka? Il-Kredu; u hallik mir-ricerka. Niftakru lil perit; lil tar-ricerka fl-universita -- kien jajarhom bil-wirdiena.