Wilfred Kenely | Investing in the future of creative minds

When was RIDT set up?

The Research Trust of the University of Malta (RIDT) was set up by means of a Legal Notice in 2011. The initiative is a collaboration between the University of Malta and the Maltese government.

What is the purpose of RIDT?

The RIDT was set up to bolster investment in research and development on a national level. It is intended to attract funds from private and corporate bodies to be then used to maximise and exploit the research milieu at the University of Malta. In other words, the Trust has the objective of raising funds from a variety of sources, thus widening the stakeholding of the University of Malta's research activity, rather than being almost totally dependent on government funding. Government should, as the main stakeholder, continue investing solidly in the research activity within our university. Likewise, it is also time for the whole community to actively participate in the future of our university by supporting its research.

Why is research so important?

Our strength as a country lies in the capability of our people. This has been the base for our success over the ages. The University of Malta has produced thousands of graduates who went on to become the country's professional, political and cultural standard bearers. In today's competitive context, and in the economic landscape that we live in, we need to translate brains into creativity and innovation that would drive our competitiveness. This can be achieved through research activity.

With regard to research sectors within the University of Malta, there is much more happening than one would ever imagine. We have very valid research going on in a number of areas of medicine, in biochemistry and bioengineering, in environmental science and in engineering. Apart from these areas there is also a strong research activity in the social sciences, including history and art. This research is today being showcased in the University of Malta's in-house publication THINK, which is distributed free on a quarterly basis. It can also be downloaded in digital format from the University website.

Do the funds go to individual studies or to research equipment for the university or both?

Funds can be donated directly towards the RIDT's reserves, without any links to particular research areas. On the other hand, donors can also specify which area of research they want their contribution to assist. They can specify the Faculty, the Department, or even the Research project. Needless to say, the RIDT is happy to receive both types of donations.

How do researchers apply for funding?

The RIDT is still a novel initiative and to date we have not as yet issued any call for research funding, something that we intend to do in the future. Until that time arrives, we are focusing more on fund-raising campaigns tied to specific projects. We have also managed to enter into funding agreements with a number of corporates with the scope of financing particular projects. The next phase, and I hope that we can reach that very soon, is to identify specific research projects and provide funding for them.

What makes them eligible?

There are various criteria that can be adopted for this exercise, but we will establish that once we reach that stage. The main objective is to fund the most valid research and I am very sure that it is going to be quite a difficult task when we get there. There are, however, several models used by other research funds that can be adopted for our scenario.

Where does the money come from?

The Maltese government made available a sum of money as 'seed capital' which is intended to give a kick start to the Trust until we can reach a point where we generate enough funds to sustain ourselves and to fund various research projects. In the meantime we are raising funds from various sources - from corporates through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, from foundations and NGOs who are recognising University Research as a good cause that deserves their funding, from alumni of the University of Malta and from the general public.

How can private businesses or individuals help?

A growing number of businesses are becoming more and more aware of the need to give something back to society through their CSR programmes. Until now these donations were mainly aimed at social, cultural and sport causes and they have contributed to some very valid projects over the years. We strongly believe that University research should also be on the list of good causes that requires community funding, and we have been seeing very encouraging signals over the past months that indicate that this is now happening. With regard to individuals, there are many ways how one can contribute. The simplest is by making a donation online on our website www.ridt.eu. Alternatively one can also send a cheque to us at the Valletta Campus, St Paul's Street. We also encourage people to consider leaving a contribution towards research in their will. Each donation will be acknowledged, and the RIDT publishes an annual report which gives an account of how were funds collected and spent. More information can be obtained from our website or by sending an email on [email protected].

How is the industry in Malta reacting to the research and developments?

After almost ten years since our joining the European Union, we are still coming to terms with the obligations that this membership presents. One of them is that by 2020 each Member State should be spending 3% of its GDP on research and innovation. For that to happen, industry also has to significantly increase its spending on R&D. To date, our industry is still primarily foreign, with overseas-based research units. That is slowly changing, particularly with more and more knowledge-based industry entering our economy. The University of Malta is also actively involved to facilitate this transition through a number of initiatives, including its Knowledge Transfer Office and the recently announced setting up of a Business Incubation Centre.

Tell me a little bit about Science in the City.

Science in the City is the name we chose for Malta's Science and Arts Festival. The idea is to expose the public to science using art as a medium. It is going to happen in Valletta on 27 September in the evening, when Valletta will be transformed into a feast of Science and Arts. Events, including street art, discussions, exhibitions, demonstrations, interactive science models, street experiments and many others will be taking place in various places in the capital city. These include the main squares and open spaces, Auberges, the Upper Barrakka garden, La Vallette and King's Own band clubs, the Museum of Archaeology and others. Science in the City forms part of the pan-European 'Researchers' Night' which is promoted and partly financed by the European Commission. It has also received funding from the Malta Arts Fund and from various corporate sponsors.

Is it aimed at children or at students at University or adults undertaking scientific research?

Science in the City is going to provide something for people from all walks of life: young, old, students, non-scientists, and others. We promise that there is going to be something for whoever is curious enough to want to know more about what goes on around us. People are also going to have an opportunity to sit down and engage themselves in a one-to-one chat with a scientist to discuss his/her area of research, over a beer, or a coffee and some nibbles. We have aptly called this event 'Xjenza fuq Galletta', literally 'Science on a Snack'. There will also be events for children including plays, science games and quizzes. Apart from all this, there will be a stand-up comedy for adults, and some intriguing art shows.

Is it the first of its kind in Malta?

We first came up with this idea last year. We put together a consortium led by the University of Malta and including some important players like the Malta Chamber of Scientists, the MCST, The Valletta Local Council, Public Broadcasting Services, MEUSAC, St James Cavalier and a number of artists, among others. It was an experiment which proved to be an immediate success. Following up on that experience, where we managed to attract around 12,000 people to Valletta for the Festival, we decided to go for it this year as well and we intend to develop this idea into a regular yearly event for Valletta's calendar. Needless to say, such an event requires lengthy preparations and teamwork, something which keeps us occupied throughout the year. At the end of the day its success is measured by how many people attend and what impact does the festival leave on the people. Judging by last year's numbers and feedback, it was a great success.