The Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) together with the College’s Applied Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC), kick-started the fifth edition of the MCAST Research & Innovation EXPO. The EXPO will run on campus in Paola till the 15 December 2023.

The EXPO aims to foster an integrated environment where academic exploration aligns with industrial innovation. This initiative promoted research projects that are not only groundbreaking but also directly translate into practical applications that benefit both academia and the industry.

Speaking during the event Minister for Education, Sport, Young People, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima said, “It is a privilege to see the development of the College’s research hub over the past years. The government has prioritised its investment in research and innovation recognising that this will continue to make us competitive. Today’s EXPO serves as an opportunity to celebrate success. It also serves as a platform for sharing new ideas, and encouraging partnerships and visions of a future where innovation leads to tangible results for the benefit of society.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Youths, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti said, “This EXPO combines two major sectors of huge national importance namely research and innovation, two sectors which are highly important for our industry. We believe in fostering an integrated environment where academia and the industry work together. The work being done at MCAST and particularly the initiatives extracted through these research projects will help us reach important milestones as a country. This EXPO motivates the Government to continue investing in research and innovation, aimed at enhancing societal improvement and creating a better quality of life for all citizens.”

The 50 presentations showcased at EXPO 23 encompass six thematic areas, reflecting a wide spectrum of research fields. These initiatives are aligned with ARIC’s collective research objectives, aimed to promote the advancement of applied research and sustainable innovation throughout MCAST.

During the EXPO a panel discussion exploring the potential and challenges of conversational AI in education and research was held. Researchers also provided presentations about the topic of education and sustainability through EdTech and CleanTech, and vocational education and entrepreneurship, offering innovative insights.

MCAST Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja highlighted the importance and significance of the research EXPO stating that, “Showcasing our research is part of the attraction to further projects focusing on issues of relevance to the quality of life of Maltese citizens. MCAST research increasingly focuses on sustainable water irrigation, artificial intelligence and learning technologies, nursing, the creative arts, aquatic and animal research, space science, childhood obesity, climate change, urban mobility, operations logistics and supply chain management. We aim to feed into the vocational degree courses at Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral levels and in the needs of industry with innovative ideas for sustainable futures. The College aims at creating a community of vocational scholars that provide research-evidenced solutions to the well-being and development of our population.”

Moreover, four workshops addressing diverse topics, including hydration promotion across the lifespan, effective research project management, benthic species annotation, and adult educator toolkits for front-line workers engaging with young people were organised during the event.

Around 150 participants, registered for the EXPO. During the event the importance of fostering interaction and dialogue among researchers, participants, academia, and industry experts, to cultivate an environment conducive to active discussions and networking was emphasized.

MCAST Director for Research and Innovation Dr Lorna Bonnici West said, “The projects and initiatives presented at this year’s EXPO under six different thematic areas aim to pave the way for a more resilient Community. Insert Quote”.The Expo also offers an opportunity for new collaborations and the formation of new research ideas.”

During the second day of the research EXPO, academics, students, and industry partners will participate in several discussion sessions, covering a wide variety of subjects including, vocational education and entrepreneurship, creative arts research, social sciences, health-related studies, concerns related to food, and strategies for cultivating sustainability in natural ecosystems.