Around 27 companies attended the session, which commenced with a presentation about the Fourth Industrial Revolution, delivered by JP Fabri, a representative from ARQ Group. The presentation was based on a new publication on TradeMalta’s website which assessed Malta’s manufacturing journey and how Industry 4.0 will initiate changes to business models, outputs, competition and skills. 

The university’s collaborative projects with companies in the manufacturing industry, which addressed topics such as sustainability and energy efficiency, were discussed Emmanuel Francalanza, University of Malta lecturer of industrial and manufacturing engineering. Mr Francalanza also gave an overview of the research and significant advances currently happening in the manufacturing industry, specifically additive manufacturing, micro- and nano-manufacturing, and digital manufacturing.

Arthur Tua, Director of Sentech Malta Ltd, said that his company positioned itself as a leading international player in the development, manufacturing and testing of custom-built gyroscopes. Sentech supplies its Fizoptika fibre optic gyroscopes to aerospace and transport companies, according to the press release. 

The seminar concluded with a series of presentations by Malta Enterprise representatives, highlighting the support and incentives available to Maltese manufacturing companies looking to innovate and conduct research and development. A talk on how companies can boost their competitiveness through innovation management was delivered by Ms Brigitte Tanti, Head of EU programmes at Malta Enterprise.

The post TradeMalta’s seminar discusses future of advanced manufacturing first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The overall objective of the Young Mediterranean Voices programme is to empower the youth to enhance a culture of dialogue to contribute to public policy. Its aim is to hold an intercultural debate and creative thinking on how to transform youth voices to youth agency and leadership for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Youth included in the programme is offered an intercultural debate competition addressing quality education, gender equality, climate action, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Three of the participants and one of the ten judges were Maltese. 

“It is our duty to build the next generation of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue leaders to transform debate into action for a sustainable future”, said Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela during his address at the first Euro-Med Debate and Policy Forum. 

Minister Abela presented awards to the winners of the debate competition for best female debater, best male debater, and the best team. He encouraged the youth to encompass the boldness, the determination, and the foresight to fulfil the vision of the 2030 Agenda. 

“As the driving force in modern-day technology, you as young people, can most able promote renewable energy sources, climate change education and awareness, and the protection of the environment while calling for just and inclusive societies”, Mr Abela said. 

Calling for further debates

Following the completion of the debate and policy forum, Mr Abela said that now policymakers need to guarantee that the numerous debates and arguments generated on various policies are duly analysed and the most insightful ideas need to be acted upon. 

He also said that this approach fits with the UN Youth Strategy 2030 and the EU Youth Strategy 2027 to ensure that the youth is at the forefront of our common agenda. Moreover, he added that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion together with other entities in Malta stand ready to support the Anna Lindh Foundation in the development of a Young Mediterranean Voices Leadership Academy, as the press release says. 

Organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the Anna Lindh Foundation, the British Council, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, and co-funded by the European Commission, it provided an open space for youth from across the Mediterranean as well as empowerment to lead positive change with their innovative ideas and solutions.

The countries of representation of these young delegates were Algeria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Palestine, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

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