A scheme has been launched with the aim of helping students continuing their studies in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

For another year, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) has launched scholarships under their Pathfinder scheme. Pathfinder aims to provide support in the postgraduate education of Artificial Intelligence along with Information Security, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning, Neural Networks and Robotics.

With an allocation totalling €120,000, the Pathfinder scheme offers support for those who are continuing their studies in these fields so they can find success not only academically but also to greatly contribute to the Maltese economy.

For a student to be eligible for Pathfinder, they need to apply for or already be enrolled in a Masters or Doctorate level course, between 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023. These students would be eligible for up to a maximum of €10,000, which consists of tuition fees, bench fees and study allowance. The applications for this scheme close on Friday 28 July 2023.

For those students who will continue at a Masters level, the course cannot be longer than three years. In the case of a Doctorate, the course cannot be longer than six years. If the course is on a full-time basis, the funds allocated will cover 80% of the tuition fees, all of the bench fees and a study allowance of €3,600 per year. If the course is on a part-time basis, the funds allocated will cover 80% of the tuition fees and all of the bench fees.

The Minister of the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that for our country to be able to continue being part of the digital revolution which we live in, we need to invest in education amongst other things.

“Both in the national strategy for artificial intelligence, as well as for the strategy of digital malta, it is important for us to have specialised workers in new technological fields. The Pathfinder scheme is one of the practical ways in which we can achieve this,” said Minister Silvio Schembri.

These scholarships will lead to the Maltese labour market being filled with individuals with the necessary skills which will lead to a guarantee that Malta will be in a better position to compete on an international level.

The Chief Executive of MDIA Kenneth Brincat urged those students who are interested in advancing their careers to apply for courses related to Artificial Intelligence or Information Security, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning, Neural Networks and Robotics, so they do not lose the opportunity to receive financial assistance, especially since the costs are considerable.

Those interested in finding more information about Pathfinder can visit the website www.mdia.gov.mt or send an email to [email protected].