A new staff contribution scheme for University and Junior College staff members launched by the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) will come into effect in January.

Staff members are encouraged to make a regular donation of a small amount of money, which will be automatically deducted before tax from their salaries. The monthly donations will go towards more research studies across all faculties and departments.

The new Staff Contribution Scheme is being endorsed by three unions that represent the majority of employees at the University and Junior College.

The University of Malta Academic Staff Association, MUT and UĦM have shown support for this new scheme and will be encouraging members to participate. The UMASA is being the first to strengthen its endorsement of the scheme by donating €1,000 to the trust.

RIDT’s CEO Wilfred Kenely said the University was committed to remain at the forefront of research, be it fundamental exploratory studies or result-driven, applied research. Research, however, costs money.

“Our University is becoming an important centre for world-class research projects across a wide range of disciplines, such as scientific, medical, as well as in humanities and arts. The University also collaborates with other international universities, educational centres and institutes in a number of significant research projects,” he said.

Over the past two years the University of Malta, through RIDT, has received substantial contributions from NGOs such as the Alive Charity Foundation, Life Cycle Malta, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, Europa Donna, as well as from corporate companies such as The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, Malta Freeport Terminal, Evolve Limited, Fimbank and Bit8.

The scheme form can be downloaded from the RIDT website at https://www.ridt.org.mt/downloads or via http://www.ridt.org.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/231832/RIDT_Contribution_Scheme_form.pdf .