Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said that a Labour government would confirm Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando as chairman of the Malta Council of Science and Technology, heaping praise for his work during his term which is due to expire.
Dr Muscat was speaking during a visit at the MCST offices in Kalkara.
The Labour leader remarked that his second visit in the space of a year, was meant to convey Labour's support for this institution. The Labour leader said that research and innovation have huge potential for job creation.
He emphasised that issues regarding patenting and intellectual property need to be urgently tackled. Dr Muscat stressed on the importance of venture capital funds, business angel networks, and the creation of a development bank.
On his part Dr Pullicino Orlando welcomed Labour's pledge to promote research and innovation in public entities, to increase scholarships, the continuation of the Biomalta campus, intellectual property and to promote further networking.
The MCST chairman said that this will probably be his last official engagement as his term will soon expire. He thanked government for the financial support which has increased five fold.
He referred to that the National Science Centre project which will be located in another part of what used to be the Bighi Naval Hospital, which will be a giant step for the popularisation of science.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said that he looks forward to Horizon 2020 which will succeed the Seventh Framework Programme which is the EU's flagship programme on research. He added that unfortunately the council had to refuse a number of projects since it can only handle a certain amount, and thus suggested further increase in the national budget for research and innovation. In particular he referred to research on solar floating panels and studies and the conservation of limestone which he said are of great relevance to Malta.
The former PN MP who turned independent in the last months of this legislature after breaking ranks with the party administration, Dr Pullicino Orlando last summer had declared that in the general election he would be abstaining.
Asked by The Malta Independent if he has changed his mind since then, with the election two weeks away and with both parties now outlining their respective manifesto, he said that he is still of the same opinion. He added that he still has the Nationalist Party at heart but believes that the country needs a change, while pointing out that he does not agree with the direction which the party has taken during this legislature. On the other hand he did not exclude that one day he might militate again in the party.
Meanwhile during his visit Dr Muscat was also briefed by MCST CEO Nicholas Sammut who gave a detailed overview of the efforts undertaken to promote research and innovation both in society as well as in industry. He said that ST Microelectronics has already made it clear that having a scientifically literate workforce is crucial for its future on the island. On an international level the council is in collaboration with the European Space Agency, Julisch Supercomputing Centre and ITER.
A major pillar to tap EU funds is the Seventh Framework Programme. Up to last October the council assisted more than 600 projects of which 125 were successful in their bid.