The decision by a number of MCAST students to develop what probably started out as a ‘joke’ into a game which should have real immediate appeal to Maltese consumers is exactly what this country is missing – creativity and innovation.

While it is all positive to have low unemployment rates and secure (if there is such a thing anymore) places of work at multinational companies based in Malta, nothing can substitute a good idea that can be developed into a product.

And that brings us to talk about the incredibly inventive Bus Bosses game. A group of students drew on their own knowledge of the old bus system, and the stereotypes which they carried. While the new Arriva service continues to strive to improve service levels, many people are now looking back into time while wearing rose-tinted glasses. Many are actually looking back fondly on the old machines and the ‘Kings of the road’ that drove them.

And this is where the ingenuity comes in. These students took their ‘fun’ project and developed it and turned it into a game that is sure to draw a following and rack up some sales, if only for the novelty value.

In doing so, these students have not only created a good product and a viable business opportunity, but have also created a piece of history – even if it is in parody form.

Malta is doing its utmost to ‘make’ itself European. Like a good number of entrants who joined the EU with us seven years ago, the honeymoon period (exacerbated by the economic and financial crises) is over and we are now getting to grips with surviving and competing in such a competitive market.

If we are to continue to improve our standing in Europe, we must continue to be innovative. Ok, at face value, this is just a card game, but there are so many other areas where we can and should be more innovative.

The same line of thinking might be applied to energy generation, green modes of transport, water catchment and more. The government is channeling money into R&D and this, along with start-up incentives, helps young entrepreneurs to come up with new and innovative products that are in demand.

But while funding and incentives are all necessary to embark on such products, nothing can substitute the spirit of entrepreneurship, of innovation and of creativity. What Malta faces as a challenge is taking those three fundamental points and applying them to other, more lucrative and perhaps ‘scientifically’ viable projects that can be used locally, and sold on to others.