EuroMedITI will be generating revenue this quarter, the first step towards becoming self-sufficient. One of the institute's project is getting off the ground: a marine software engineering one, in partnership with Swedish company Steps Ahead. The intention is to establish the Marine Software Engineering Cluster of Excellence (MARSEC-XL), which will use offices at the Malta Maritime Authority headquarters. The institute is receiving support for this project from the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and the Kaiser Lautern University.
CEO John Attard is enthusiastic about it, seeing considerable potential: "I have high hopes for this project and believe it will grow rapidly."
This week, a three-day international conference was held at Le Meridien St Julians with Steps Ahead, focusing on the rapid introduction of software-determined systems and services in the marine industry.
"Systems as diverse as navigational aids, monitoring and control, safety and security surveillance, comfort systems, infotainment, drive-line operation and communications are all becoming increasingly software dependent," he explained.
It is also awaiting feedback on an application made to the European Regional Development Fund for a project on offshore renewable energy.
The institute was set up a year ago, receiving Lm150,000 a year from the government, with two more years to go.
The institute's shareholding is perhaps the best way to show its sphere of operation and the entities with which it will network: The University of Malta (33 per cent), Malta Enterprise (33 per cent), the Malta Council for Science and Technology (43 per cent) and the Federation of Industry (1 per cent).
"We are looking at how to make the most of financial mechanisms that allow companies involved in research and development projects to get tax credits for their investment," the institute's newly-appointed chief executive officer said.
"This is an important component of the strategy aimed at raising the whole innovation culture on the islands. We know where we want to get. It is now a matter of identifying how best to get there. One thing we are not short of it's ideas!" Mr Attard, whose father is Maltese, spent his early years at school in Malta. He has over 20 years' experience in bringing research and technology to market and was the managing director of UK-based consultancy Rescitech Ltd for the five years prior to his appointment in Malta.
EuroMedITI is taking shape: It has premises (at the former IPSE building in Marsa) and in addition to Mr Attard, it has a number of other people seconded from public sector entities and the private sector.
"We will not require many personnel, just a handful of people with a good technical and commercial background," he said.
He sees his more pressing task to be getting the message across about what the institute does.
"Our remit is drawn from the Lisbon and Barcelona ideals: To close the technology gap between northern Europe and the southern Mediterranean rim, with Malta as the showcase. The great thing is that Malta would itself benefit from the new technology."
That remit would be too wide in scope in practice so the institute identified specific areas where it could be most effective and is now developing a portfolio of appropriate projects related to sustainable energy, water and environment, information and communication, and marine.
The services offered by the institute span the entire business chain: developing project concepts; assistance in locating the necessary partners and launching the project; project financing, including assistance in attracting private investment and venture capital; technology support for developing, prototyping and testing; sales and marketing support; and supplying knowledge of the Mediterranean market.
The institute is also attracting international support: Amre Moussa, general secretary of the Arab League, sent his endorsement, which is in turn opening other doors.
"His patronage should not be underestimated. The support of such a senior, well-respected figure in the Arab world has opened, and is continuing to open, crucial doors to other senior, influential national and regional figures as well as the necessary networks of competence," he said.
For example, EuroMedITI earlier this summer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Research Centre, Cairo and others are in the pipeline.
"The MoU will encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities to propel business-driven RTDI and human capacity development in the environment, energy, ICT and marine sectors," Mr Attard explained.
A conference is also being organised in Tunisia in December, with the support of the Tunisian Centre of the League of Arab States to identify collaboration opportunities.
"The emphasis will be on finding out about and comprehending developments in Tunisia in the water, energy, ICT, environment and marine technology sectors being promoted by EuroMedITI," he said.
CEO John Attard is enthusiastic about it, seeing considerable potential: "I have high hopes for this project and believe it will grow rapidly."
This week, a three-day international conference was held at Le Meridien St Julians with Steps Ahead, focusing on the rapid introduction of software-determined systems and services in the marine industry.
"Systems as diverse as navigational aids, monitoring and control, safety and security surveillance, comfort systems, infotainment, drive-line operation and communications are all becoming increasingly software dependent," he explained.
It is also awaiting feedback on an application made to the European Regional Development Fund for a project on offshore renewable energy.
The institute was set up a year ago, receiving Lm150,000 a year from the government, with two more years to go.
The institute's shareholding is perhaps the best way to show its sphere of operation and the entities with which it will network: The University of Malta (33 per cent), Malta Enterprise (33 per cent), the Malta Council for Science and Technology (43 per cent) and the Federation of Industry (1 per cent).
"We are looking at how to make the most of financial mechanisms that allow companies involved in research and development projects to get tax credits for their investment," the institute's newly-appointed chief executive officer said.
"This is an important component of the strategy aimed at raising the whole innovation culture on the islands. We know where we want to get. It is now a matter of identifying how best to get there. One thing we are not short of it's ideas!" Mr Attard, whose father is Maltese, spent his early years at school in Malta. He has over 20 years' experience in bringing research and technology to market and was the managing director of UK-based consultancy Rescitech Ltd for the five years prior to his appointment in Malta.
EuroMedITI is taking shape: It has premises (at the former IPSE building in Marsa) and in addition to Mr Attard, it has a number of other people seconded from public sector entities and the private sector.
"We will not require many personnel, just a handful of people with a good technical and commercial background," he said.
He sees his more pressing task to be getting the message across about what the institute does.
"Our remit is drawn from the Lisbon and Barcelona ideals: To close the technology gap between northern Europe and the southern Mediterranean rim, with Malta as the showcase. The great thing is that Malta would itself benefit from the new technology."
That remit would be too wide in scope in practice so the institute identified specific areas where it could be most effective and is now developing a portfolio of appropriate projects related to sustainable energy, water and environment, information and communication, and marine.
The services offered by the institute span the entire business chain: developing project concepts; assistance in locating the necessary partners and launching the project; project financing, including assistance in attracting private investment and venture capital; technology support for developing, prototyping and testing; sales and marketing support; and supplying knowledge of the Mediterranean market.
The institute is also attracting international support: Amre Moussa, general secretary of the Arab League, sent his endorsement, which is in turn opening other doors.
"His patronage should not be underestimated. The support of such a senior, well-respected figure in the Arab world has opened, and is continuing to open, crucial doors to other senior, influential national and regional figures as well as the necessary networks of competence," he said.
For example, EuroMedITI earlier this summer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Research Centre, Cairo and others are in the pipeline.
"The MoU will encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities to propel business-driven RTDI and human capacity development in the environment, energy, ICT and marine sectors," Mr Attard explained.
A conference is also being organised in Tunisia in December, with the support of the Tunisian Centre of the League of Arab States to identify collaboration opportunities.
"The emphasis will be on finding out about and comprehending developments in Tunisia in the water, energy, ICT, environment and marine technology sectors being promoted by EuroMedITI," he said.