To help power Malta’s innovators, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is showcasing its innovation cooperation opportunities during an Awareness Day in Kalkara. This event, which is being held today, is being organised together with the Maltese Council for Science and Technology.
Europe’s future is connected to its power to innovate. A competitive edge has never been more important, especially for smaller member states. Malta has great potential to expand its innovation capacity (Malta Factsheet – European Innovation Scoreboard), and the EIT stands ready to support Maltese innovators. That’s the role of the EIT – to support students, researchers and entrepreneurs to help them grow their entrepreneurial skills and their businesses, creating jobs and improving the lives of citizens across Europe. As a global player, the EU, through the EIT, is focused on powering innovators to turn their best ideas into products, services and jobs for Europe.
“Malta is a resourceful, determined and ambitious country,” said Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, executive chairman, Malta Council for Science and Technology.
“As a small nation continually adapting our economy to modern challenges, we have the advantage of being able to change quickly, to collaborate effectively and to advance our economy in new directions as global markets shift. Working closely with the EIT, Malta’s innovators, and our great researchers, now have a strong partner to accelerate new ideas, products and services. We see this Awareness Day as a stepping stone to create jobs, growth and a stronger global reputation.”
Martin Kern, EIT interim director, added: “The EIT offers a one-stop shop for innovators, and we want to increase access to our unique resources and opportunities in Malta. The EIT focuses on solutions to global challenges through our six Innovation Communities that bring together more than 1,000 partners from business, education and research. Our unique innovation model creates sustainable innovations and accelerates innovative ideas, which ultimately leads to job creation and economic growth.”
The EIT Awareness Day in Kalkara will showcase the EIT’s unique innovation model that sets up dynamic pan-European partnerships between leading companies, universities and research labs. These are called Innovation Communities and they support entrepreneurs and innovators in bringing ideas to market, turning students into entrepreneurs and, most importantly, stimulating innovation.
The EIT’s six Innovation Communities tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our societies from climate change to sustainable energy to healthy living and active ageing. They will present how organisations and innovators in Malta can join their wide range of activities to drive innovation.
The event will be opened by Dr Pullicino Orlando followed by a video message from Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation. Members of the EIT Community, together with innovators that work with the EIT, will then present their wide range of innovation support activities.