The eight awards organisers are expecting applications for are as follows:

• Award for Best Tech Startup,
• Award for Creative Innovation,
• Award for Scientific Innovation,
• Award for Technological  Innovation,
• Award for Top Investor,
• Award for Digital Disruptor,
• Award for the Best Service Provider,
• Award for Tech for a Better World.  

For the first time, the awards have the scope to give exposure and credit to all the “hard-working companies and individuals in the tech sphere” in Malta, according to the press release. 

“The awards will shed a spotlight on the ongoing tech activity in Malta, the innovative projects, and the solutions created which will give back to the community but most of all the awards will boost the creative thinking and tech talent which is part and parcel of the growth of the digital economy of our islands,” said parliamentary secretary Silvio Schembri. 

A judging panel will decide on the awardees, while in the case of the Best Tech Startup, a specific judging panel will be set up to rank all applications and determine the three finalists and award winner. The three finalists will be invited to the MCA eBusiness Awards Event.  

Nominations can be placed through the official website of the summit by noon on 18 September.

The post Applications open for eight awards at DELTA Summit first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“Malta is an important hub for us to connect to the European markets. This year marks a significant milestone for us. Over the year, in Malta, we have been working closely with legal and compliance experts, and local authorities to prompt the development of OKMSX,” said Andy Cheung, Head of Operations of OKEx.

“This joint venture marks our confidence in the Maltese government as well as our commitment to providing an efficient, secure, and transparent blockchain trading environment to clients worldwide. We are excited as it is finally happening in 2020,” he added.

“Backed by the strong support from the Maltese government, the Delta Summit is one of the world’s most important blockchain events. We look forward to bringing in more insightful discussions and sharing our upcoming plans with the world during the conference,” Mr Cheung continued.

OKEx has been collaborating with MSX since 2018, the digital and fintech arm of Malta Stock Exchange Holdings, in order to launch OKMSX, which is an institutional-grade exchange for security tokens in support of the “Blockchain Island” initiative in Malta. After one year of preparation time, the new exchange is at the final stage of development and the launch is expected in Q1 2020, according to the press release sent to BM.

The Delta Summit tech week will bring together players from tech industries, including sectors of blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT), among many others.

Malta has shown a welcoming attitude for emerging technology startups, which seek a base for innovations and presenting their ideas to the world.

The post OKEx celebrates anniversary in Malta, readies launching OKMSX first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“This year the government has once again increased the allocated budget by 30% to the tune of €800,000 for the Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Schembri. “This is proof of the government’s commitment to give an opportunity to our youths to have hands-on working experience in the industry of the future. This preparedness can only be achieved however if we are able to build on the academic prowess of our youth and provide them with opportunities such as these,” the minister said.

“The number of companies requiring employees having knowledge of emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and virtual reality is always on the increase,” Mr Schembri added. “This is an opportunity for you all and focusing your studies in these areas will surely contribute for you to have a successful career.”   

In addition, MITA’s Head of Strategy and Business Emmanuel Darmanin underlined that MITA, together with employer partners, has been able in the last five years to offer over 1,600 placements in all sectors which have provided exposure to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and ICT using industry, as the press release says. 

“In line with the various initiatives related to emerging technologies, this year’s event has been created with a direct focus on some of these technologies. I encourage to also make use of MITA’s New Emerging Technologies Lab, experience the practical use of these technologies, and above all make the most out of your Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Darmanin. 

Moreover, the students took part in workshops related to virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain amongst others through which the winners were awarded Delta Tech Week. 

During the event, it was also announced that the government official blockchain event Delta Summit will be transformed into the Government Tech Week between 30 of September and 6 of October 2019 and will cover different areas such as AI, IoT, blockchain, eSports, game development and space research.

The post MITA student placement to host 380 students in 2019 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.