The Malta Council for Science and Technology over the past year continued to successfully perform its role of raising the profile and standard of science, technology, research and innovation in Malta, council chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said today.

Speaking during the presentation of the council's annual report, Dr Pullicino Orlando said the issue of lack of human resources in science and technology continued to be a concern and there was a need to increase the uptake in science subjects.

"The council is determined to change the public perception of science, most notably through the National Interactive Science Centre, a €25 million project which will be completed in 2014 and which will teach, entertain and instil interest in science and technology," Dr Pullicino Orlando said.

Dr Nicholas Sammut, deputy chairman and CEO explained that the National Research and Innovation Fund was increased by 58% in 2011 to €1.1million, resulting in eight new industry-academia projects being selected for funding.

The fund was increased by a further 58% to 1.6m this year.

Participation in the EU Seventh Framework programme (FP7) continued to increase with a total of 112 projects funded since 2007 amounting to €11.4m awarded to the Maltese beneficiaries.

Malta is now 4th in Europe in terms of FP7 projects per capita.

In addition, the council managed to significantly increase Maltese researcher participation in the COST programme which offers excellent networking opportunities with top level researchers throughout Europe.

A number of research strategies were also drawn up in 2011, including the manufacturing strategy the national health strategy and the R&I strategic plan 2020, which will be finalised in the coming months.

Dr Sammut, then described detailed plans pertinent to the National Interactive Science Centre (NISC). He explained how the centre will cover the whole west area of Bighi which is currently in a state of complete ruin. The NISC will include a science communication hub, science shows, hands on exhibits, a planetarium, interactive workshops and an under 7s area.

The ruins which will be replaced by the science centre.The ruins which will be replaced by the science centre.

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