The works at Esplora – the National Centre for Interactive Science are expected to be complete by the end of this year, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg announced this morning. Works started in April 2014 and the project costs a total of €26 million, most of which funded by European Fund for Regional Development.

Villi Bighi in Kalkara is being renovated for the project.

Addressing the press, Chairperson for Malta Council of Science and Technology Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said that the centre is mostly targeted at secondary school students studying Science. The centre will contribute to improve and increase professional careers in Science and Technology, allowing Malta to have a competitive edge.

Dr Borg said that this project will help fill the vacuum the country has in research and innovation. He noted that Malta has another €70 million in funds for research and innovation.

Parliamantary Secretary Chris Aguis, who was also present, said that the project also allows for the regeneration for a historical property.