Engineers seek more say in decision-making structures

The need to increase the number of graduates taking up engineering and science subjects at university in order to enable Malta to reach European levels was brought up during a meeting between the council of the Chamber of Engineers and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami at Castille.

The chamber said the main topic of the meeting was the transition of Malta's economy to a more dynamic knowledge-based economy with the help of engineers.

The setting up of a national research programme to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in small and medium enterprises was also discussed at the meeting.

Chamber president Alexander Tranter said the government should further involve engineers in the decision-making structures on a national basis.

The success of Malta's economic growth in the future depended on the continued development of a knowledge based economy in which engineers could be key contributors, he argued.

The chamber said the prime minister looked forward to a closer collaboration with the Chamber of Engineers in the light of the government's strategy of involving representative organisations from various sectors in the development of the country's economy.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, Ninu Zammit.

The chamber is marking its 25th anniversary with various cultural and educational events, including revamping its quarterly journal Engineering Today.

The magazine covers subjects such as mechatronics, semiconductors, the environment, wind generation systems and radiation.