A global leader in systems and software engineering research and Malta’s dynamic College of Arts, Science and Technology have joined MARSEC-XL, the Marine Software Engineering Cluster of Excellence in Malta.
In a Public Deed on 10 December in Malta, Prof. Dieter Rombach, chairman of the Fraunhofer ICT Group and executive director of Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, and Prof. Maurice Grech, Principal and CEO of Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology formally joined as council members of MI-SE@MALTA Foundation, the applied research and education institute of MARSEC-XL.
Fraunhofer IESE, one of 56 institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, is one of the world leading research institutes in the field of software and systems engineering. A vast majority of the products and services delivered by the collaboration partners of IESE is defined by software. These products and services range from automotive and transportation systems to telecommunication and telematics equipment, from information systems and medical devices to software systems for the public sector.
“Formalising our working relationship with MARSEC-XL by joining its MI-SE@MALTA Foundation is an exciting step for Fraunhofer IESE bringing an entirely new and highly sophisticated application domain to our portfolio. The marine sector, and yachting in particular, already deliver hi-tech products and systems that offer significant opportunities for further innovation and integration,” commented Prof. Rombach at the ceremony.
MCAST, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, is a highly successful and fast growing leading education institution in Malta. With over 5,000 students in its nine institutes and international acclaimed industry collaborations, MCAST has a significant footprint in the Maltese educational system and economy.
Four of its specialized institutes namely, the Institute of Information and Communication Technology, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Maritime Institute provide an ideal mix of expertise to engage with MI-SE@MALTA Foundation and assist it to attain its mission.
Prof. Grech stated: “Together with Fraunhofer we are delighted to join MARSEC-XL to help strengthen further the research and educational aspect of this unique initiative in the yachting sector. This fits perfectly with MCAST’s objectives to further its operations in the marine sector and to prepare students for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs”.
The MARSEC-XL Foundation (Marine Software Engineering Cluster of Excellence) sets out to shape the digital future of the yachting industry focusing on marine systems and software engineering. The mission of MARSEC-XL is to provide an unbroken sustainable innovation chain encompassing a range of activities from applied research, education and training to business operations and technology transfer.
With world-renowned players in the yachting industry, MARSEC-XL has been established as a neutral ground where leading brands come together for collaborative work.