Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that he wanted Malta to become a knowledge-based society and the country was getting there.

Addressing a large crowd that braved the heavy rain to give the prime minister a warm welcome in Swieqi, Dr Gonzi urged everyone to continue studying and said a Nationalist government would continue investing to create opportunities.
It was even going to offer vouchers to pay for childcare centers to parents who wanted to study at university, Mcast or elsewhere.

University Pro-Rector Mary-Anne Lauri spoke about the changes going on at the university.

"In the past five years its like there was an earthquake as the university is changing. It's much better than it used to be," she said. The university was making giant steps and there were 64 projects using EU funds. "There is a lot of research going on with many people working on a lot of things. A lot of it will be used for the country," she said.

Dr Gonzi said it was important to have strong economy because sound finances were essential for the education sector.  All this means more stipends, more classes, better wages among other things," he said.

He said he was impressed by a new lab with a new "super computer" at the university, through which  Malta could join other countries to work on projects. "It is extraordinary," he said.

He reiterated that stipends were an investment and not something capricious. "We will keep them and improve them pro rata with the cost of living index," he said.

A Nationalist government had brought about a change through inclusive education. While previously, disabled children went to special schools, the majority were now integrated into schools with other children through investment and learning support assistants, he said.

"Children are learning that certain children have a disadvantage but that it can be overcome. We give the support to those who are weaker, he said.