I n his speech during the opening of the academic year, University Rector Juanito Camilleri made a strong appeal for a wider and more sustainable programme of funding for research and development so that “Malta could safeguard its sovereignty and would be able to contribute in the international sphere, while looking forward to face tomorrow’s challenges”.

Hardly any doubts about the wisdom of these words. Whether they will eventually be taken on by the powers-that-be is another story altogether.

As a European member state, Malta is committed to reaching established targets, including that of investing three per cent of its GDP in research and innovation.

A tall order, one may argue, given that the country does not have a history in this sector and in view of the fact that most of our industrial operators are foreign-owned, with R&D facilities abroad.

For a future-looking country, innovation is the name of the game

Sweden, probably the most developed member state, has gone over that target, with its contribution towards research and innovation nearing the four per cent mark. Germany, Finland and Denmark are close followers.

In 2011, Malta invested 0.7 per cent of its GDP in research and development.

It does not take a scientist to conclude that reaching such ambitious targets requires investment in University research and creating the right environment for new, high-value local enterprises.

For a future-looking country, innovation is the name of the game.

The crowds that thronged the streets of Valletta on September 27 seem to have, consciously or subconsciously, understood this.

Children and youngsters, together with others who are not young anymore, replied to the Science In The City appeal and went into the capital to meet scientists and researchers and try their hand in simple and other not-so-simple experiments.

Some enjoyed talking to scientists over a drink, whileothers watched science-inspired art and drama.

Engaging young children in science and technology is crucial in our quest to acquire a place among the world’s most competitive countries.

It is not a pipe dream, although it is not a piece of cake either. Other countries have done it before us and there is no reason in the world why we should not do it as well.

This country has made massive steps forward in its short history since independence.

Our membership of the European Union has given us a new perspective, which can be translated into a national project, that of becoming a European success story.

For this to happen, we need to have a positive attitude and a visionary plan that puts competitiveness as a central priority.

The Nationalist governments of these past 25 years have prepared a solid groundwork and got the ball rolling for such a plan to materialise.

The opening up of our University and the continuous investment in the educational system in general was indeed visionary. So was the attraction of high-end foreign investment.

Now we need to go further if we want to increase our competitiveness. And it would be wrong to assume that this can happen just by putting more funds on the table, although this is also required.

The way forward requires a vision.

A vision for our education system to, rather than remaining obsessed with certificates and marks, stimulate the younger generation to embrace the challenges ahead and venture into new technologies and new endeavours.

A vision for our University to engage more into research and innovation and to churn out graduates with a flair to translate their ideas into enterprises.

No, it is not a pipe dream, but unless we grab the young ones now, it will take longer to happen. And time is not on our side.

Jonathan Shaw is a Nationalist candidate for the upcoming MEP elections