National Launch of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme
The 15th of February 2007 marked the national launch of the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration during a conference organised by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) at the Portomaso Suite, Hilton Malta.
The Conference was opened by Hon. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister followed by Dr. Godwin Grima, Principal Permanent Secretary and MCST advisory board chairman. Mr. David Spiteri Gingell, Chairman, MCST, chaired the event and introduced to the floor Dr Zoran Stancic, Deputy Director- General DG Research of the European Commission, who gave a detailed speech on the European Research Policy and Dr Leonidas Karapiperis, Advisor DG Research, who delivered a comprehensive overview of FP7.
The Prime Minister explained that "investment in research and innovation is a critical factor in maintaining the momentum of the European economy and safeguarding the quality of life of its citizens."
Research in Malta has often been underestimated and not given the merited prominence. Through the development of the National Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation (2007 - 2010), Malta has stepped up its efforts to enable research and innovation to prosper. The National Strategic Plan sets the way forward with the vision for "Research and Innovation at the heart of the Maltese economy to support value added growth" with a comprehensive package of measures and over 60 recommendations for promoting Science, Technology, Research and Innovation involving both demand-side and supply-side approaches, focused on four key priority sectors: ICT, energy and the environment, value-added manufacturing and health/biotechnology.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Investment in Research and Innovation in Malta is on the increase. Over Lm1 million of the structural funds have been ringfenced for research-related activity. Malta’s participation in Framework Programme projects has continued to grow from FP5 where 44 projects and €3.1 million were awarded to Maltese organisations to FP6 with Malta achieving on of the highest success rates for proposal submissions per capita among EU member states. In FP6 local organizations participated in 108 projects with a contribution of 9.4 Million Euro to our economy and spanning a range of activities.
"We have set ourselves the target of investing 0.75% of our GDP in research and innovation by 2010." The Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister concluded that Malta’s level of Participation in the Framework Programmes is satisfactory and was confident that Malta will extend and further improve its participation in FP7.
Dr. Grima iterated that in 2008, selected entities including MITTS, Wasteserv, EneMalta, Water Services Corporation, the Malta National Laboratories, the Department of Health, the Department of Veterinary Affairs and Fisheries, the Department of Building and Construction, and the Malta Transport Authority will ringfence 0.25% of their budget for R&I Activities. Apart from that, Dr. Grima stated that the necessary training framework shall be put in place to support R&I within organisations.
The new FP7 programme opens up some very exciting prospects for Malta’s researchers in the public and private sectors and marks new challenges which if embarked on intelligently will surely strengthen our economy.
Speeches
Prime Minister’s Speech
Permanent Secretary Speech
Presentations
Presentation by Dr Zoran Stancic, Deputy Director-General DG Research of the European Commission
Presentation by Dr Leonidas Karapiperis, Advisor DG Research, Advisor DG Research
Presentation by Mr Michael Refalo, National Coordinator FP7
Success Stories
Mr. Mike Rosner – University of Malta
Dr. Anna Spiteri – Integrated Resource Management Ltd
Ing. Michael Bonello – Director Electronic Systems Design Ltd.