Manufacturing Research Strategy 30 th January 2013 Ing. JP. Sammut Malta Council for Science and Technology

Mission Statement “To transform the Maltese Manufacturing Industry into a centre of excellence for research, development and testing facilities to strengthen the Manufacturing Base in Malta by investing in resources and competencies that position it at the forefront in selected high technology manufacturing niche markets whilst retaining flexibility to continuously adapt its focus to emerging technologies and applications”. Excellent Leading Flexible Collaborative Innovative Creative Knowledgeable

Manufacturing Industry Today Eroding Competitiveness Declining Profits Reduction in overall tu r nover Lower levels of employment High Level of Exports mainly through FDIs Progressive movement towards High Value Added Activities Low labour cost reliance replaced by high tech industries growth

Focus of Industry Sectors Electronics Pharmaceuticals Food, Beverage & Tobacco Medical, Precision & Optical Equipment Rubber & Plastics Renewable Energy

Key Pillar Objectives Highly Qualified Workforce specialised in targeted S&T Fields for the Manufacturing Industry –Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral S&T Students Appropriate Research Infrastructures to encourage growth or R&D activities in the Manufacturing Industry –Development of Science Parks to host internationally accredited labs, academia, test factories and R&D centres –Increase Number of Patent Registrations and Patent Revenue

Key Pillar Objectives cont Finance & Support –Public and Business R&D&I Spending in Manufacturing –EU funds to partly finance development of Research Infrastructures –Availability of Venture Capital and Business Angel Financing Linkages and Partnerships –Appropriate PPP for development of Science Parks –Appropriate industry academia collaboration on R&D initiatives in Manufacturing –Innovation collaboration between SMEs and FDIs in the Manufacturing Industry in Malta –Number of public/private co-publications in the manufacturing sector

Linking Technology Platforms to Industry Sectors Electronics Pharmaceu -ticals Medical Equipment Renewable Energy Rubber & Plastics Food & Beverage Preference, Acceptance and Needs Project √ Advanced Engineering Materials √√√√ Photovoltaics & Photonics √ Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals √√√√√√ Nano-Medicine√√

Strategy at a National Level Improve Culture towards Manufacturing Research Education and Development of Human Resources Skill Base Development of Partnerships and Linkages Exploitation of Research Infrastructures Embarking on Project Based Initiatives

Strategy a Sectoral Level Product and Process Innovation –Technical Market Studies –Sectoral Competitive Calls Test Bed Initiatives –Innovation Villages (e.g. Green Villages) –Thematic Pharma Clinical Island –International Food & Beverage Showcase –Test Factory Mark R&D Government Structures –Development of Technology Platforms –Reinforcement of Funding Unit –Strengthening of Patent Framework

Long Term Strategy Position to exploit Emerging Technologies. Example: In Europe there is a focus on Nano Technology in Manufacturing and Medicine. Malta cannot be left out from the process and has to invest accordingly.

Way Forward - Overview Having outlined the key outcomes, programmes and initiatives to be undertaken as part of the Manufacturing Research Strategy, it is now imperative to set a roadmap for ensuring its appropriate implementation in the coming years. A proposed way forward is outlined below: Endorse Resource Commitments from Key Stakeholders Establish Technology Platforms Define Sectoral Strategy & Budgets Implement Strategy Monitor Progress

Way Forward – Establish Technology Platforms Once consensus from the corresponding Ministries is achieved on budgetary appropriations and responsibilities, Technology Platforms will need to be set up as follows: Overarching Manufacturing Research Technology Platform Manufacturing Informatics & Information Science Platform Advanced Materials Group Manufacturing Production Technologies Platform Renewable Energy Group Overarching Platform Transversal Platforms Vertical Platforms

Way Forward – Manufacturing Research Technology Platform Reviewing, revising and updating the Research Manufacturing Strategy; Establish and develop appropriate objectives to be achieved by the Thematic Platforms; Approve Strategic Research Agendas and Business Plans Assign budgets and resources to each Thematic Platform; Manage, co-ordinate and lead the thematic platforms; Identify and encourage collaboration amongst individual platforms; Propose appropriate research infrastructures Represent Malta on the European Manufacturing Research Platform; and Participate in the development of a Harmonised Intellectual Property Rights Protocol Terms of Refernce

Way Forward – Thematic Platforms Develop and Propose A Strategy Research Agenda, a Technology Roadmap, Business Plan and Feasibility Financial Projections; Review, identify and propose concrete research project initiatives; Assign budgets, operational indicators and objectives to be achieved to specific projects Ensure that projects falling under their responsibility achieve the time, cost and quality objectives; Propose and recommend the appropriate research infrastructures Act as the representative body for players operating in the Research and Development Activities To undertake and carry out assessments and human resources skills gaps; To carry out regular RDI market analysis; To ensure the achievement of the Key Performance Indicators and Objectives; To act as a broker and intermediary between Graduates, Academics and Industry; To ensure that research and development opportunities being managed realise their full commercialisation potential Terms of Reference

Proposed Technology Platforms

16 For Further Information Contact: Ing JP Sammut Director, National Funding Unit Malta Council for Science and Technology Villa Bighi, Bighi Kalkara, KKR Tel: (356) Fax: (356) Web: