In his vlog MEP Francis Zammit Dimech refers to the recent data published by Eurostat placing Malta 3rd from last when it comes to investment in research and innovation. He said that this is definitely not the best in Europe as we were promised. Zammit Dimech said that he had met researchers who has shared with him their challenges in the light of lack of funding to buy and maintain equipment.

Zammit Dimech also explained how the government had not issued post-doc grants since 2015. He said that these grants were important as they facilitated research in niches which were of national importance. 

Zammit Dimech who is a member of the MEPs Against Cancer group said that more investment in research was also needed to fight cancer, especially that faced by children. He said that investment had to be medically driven on the needs of patients and not only in areas guaranteeing safe return of investment.  He concluded by saying that the future of our economy will depend on innovation and the skills of our people.

Hence we have no option but to invest more in research and to give the opportunity to our researchers, including those in the various educational and research institutions such as MCAST and the University of Malta, to grow and expand.