The University of Malta and three leading industrial associations in France have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a result of which internships will be granted to the best graduates in fields related to technology.
The first of its kind in Europe, the agreement is the positive outcome of an initiative launched two years ago during a think-tank that brought together large French companies.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi met the parties that signed the agreement, which will also allow the University of Malta to be involved in European research and development projects.
The MOU was signed on 22 June at the Le Bourget International Paris Airshow. The think-tank, that was organised merely as a trial run two years ago, was intended to achieve a sustainable partnership with smaller European countries, giving them the opportunity to participate in large European technological projects.
Patrick Moulin from Eurocopter, Europe’s leading fully integrated aeronautical group, said: “We consider that we were able to sign this first kind of agreement with Malta thanks to your personal involvement and decisive support.”
Indeed, Dr Gonzi had spoken to the French partners about the project for the first time during a visit to Paris for a business breakfast in May 2006. The French had then organised a seminar to explore ways of cooperation with respect to each party’s interest.
The three professional associations – Gifas, Gicat and Gican – with whom the university signed the MOU, represent the aerospace, naval and defence and security
sectors.
Gifas is the French aerospace industry association. It represents a total of 230 companies such as Airbus, Eurocopter and Dassault Aviation. Gicat represents and supports all the French companies involved in research, development, manufacture, promotion and service of equipment, while Gican represents the 131 French companies forming part of the naval industry.
Mr Moulin said this is the first time that all the French professional associations have signed a document confirming their interest and willingness to achieve common objectives.
He said the MOU is not just a working paper, and outlined a few tangible results that have already been achieved.
A Maltese post-graduate student has already been chosen for an internship with Eurocopter. Moreover, Malta International Airport is also involved as an end user of an offer that MBDA (one of the companies represented by Gifas) submitted to the European Commission in the 7th Research Framework programme.
Mr Moulin also said that some contacts have already been made between laboratories at the University of Malta and some French companies in the fields of research and development.
Dr Gonzi described the signing of the MOU as a very important step forward, because it provided new opportunities for research and development in areas that are of particular interest to Malta.
He said the MOU forms part of the vision that the government is slowly implementing as it plans to make Malta a centre of excellence in technology by 2015.
University rector Juanito Camilleri said EU membership meant that the country now has access to previously inaccessible industries.
He explained that the graduates who benefit from internships offered by French companies forming part of the MOU, will then find a network at the University of Malta that will put them in an ideal position to participate in European projects and will act as a spawn for them to start up their own companies.