THE HON. JESMOND MUGLIETT ATTENDS THE INFORMATION DAY ON THE E.U. FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

THE HON. JESMOND MUGLIETT ATTENDS THE INFORMATION DAY ON THE E.U. FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

Over 150 people from the industry sector, including SMEs, Corporations, the University and Government Departments attended the Information Day on the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) held on Friday 23^rd June. This programme is the European Union programme supporting research, technological development and innovation. Participation in FP5 gives an opportunity to individuals, and to legal entities registered in Malta, to team up with foreign partners in order to submit proposals for funding for the European Union. Partners from Malta are eligible to participate as Associated Status partners for all projects submitted under calls for proposals with a closing deadline from September 2000 onwards.

During an introductory speech, the Hon. Jesmond Mugliett, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, said that it is high time for Malta to start participating in this programme. Over the years there has been an immense capital investment in research equipment at the University and other institutes. There has also been an explosion in the number of students taking up technolgy-related courses at tertiary level, and Malta has attracted a sizeable high-tech industry. Participation in the PF5 will lead us to build a modern research culture locally.

The Parliamentary Secretary was followed by various speakers, who came purposely from the European Commission to give details about the various actions of the European Programme, the requirements for a good proposal preparation, review partners, search, as well as explain, the legal, financial and administrative aspects of proposal submission, and contract negotiation.

FP5 focuses its activities on four Thematic Programmes (Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources; User-friendly Information Society; Competitive and Sustainable Growth; Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development), and three Horizontal Programmes (International Role of Community Research; Promotion of Innovation and Encouragement of Participation of SMEs; and Improving Human Resource Potential and the Socio-economic Knowledge Base).

The Programme is of special interest to University and public sector researchers, locally and foreign-owned large-scale enterprises, SMEs, senior policy-makers and managers in Government and parastatal organizations, postgraduate students, the I.T financial and tourism sectors. The reference point in Malta for the Fifth Framework Programme is the National Contact Point Organization set up by the Malta Council for Science and Technology. Detailed information about participation in this Programme can be obtained from the E.U website at www.cordis.lu, or the Malta Council for Science and Technology website at www.mcst.org.mt.