Manufacturing Research Strategy
30th January 2013
Ing. JP. SammutMalta Council for Science and Technology
Mission Statement
Excel
lent
Excel
lent
Lead
ing
Lead
ing
Flexib
le
Flexib
le
Colla
borat
ive
Colla
borat
ive
Innovati
ve
Innovati
ve
Creati
ve
Creati
ve
Know
ledge
able
Know
ledge
able
Manufacturing Industry Today
Eroding Competitiveness
Declining Profits
Reduction in overall turnover
Lower levels of employment
High Level of Exports mainly through FDIs
Progressive movement towards High Value Added Activitie
s
Low labour cost reliance replaced
by high tech industries growth
Focus of Industry Sectors
• Electronics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food, Beverage & Tobacco
• Medical, Precision & Optical Equipment
• Rubber & Plastics
• Renewable Energy
Key Pillar Objectives
• Highly Qualified Workforce specialised in targeted S&T Fields for the Manufacturing Industry
– Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral S&T Students
• Appropriate Research Infrastructures to encourage growth or R&D activities in the Manufacturing Industry
– Development of Science Parks to host internationally accredited labs, academia, test factories and R&D centres
– Increase Number of Patent Registrations and Patent Revenue
Key Pillar Objectives cont• Finance & Support
– Public and Business R&D&I Spending in Manufacturing
– EU funds to partly finance development of Research Infrastructures
– Availability of Venture Capital and Business Angel Financing
• Linkages and Partnerships
– Appropriate PPP for development of Science Parks
– Appropriate industry academia collaboration on R&D initiatives in Manufacturing
– Innovation collaboration between SMEs and FDIs in the Manufacturing Industry in Malta
– Number of public/private co-publications in the manufacturing sector
Linking Technology Platforms to Industry Sectors
ElectronicsPharmaceu
-ticalsMedical
EquipmentRenewable
EnergyRubber & Plastics
Food & Beverage
Preference, Acceptance and Needs Project
√
Advanced Engineering Materials
√ √ √ √
Photovoltaics & Photonics
√
Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals
√ √ √ √ √ √
Nano-Medicine √ √
Strategy at a National Level
• Improve Culture towards Manufacturing Research
• Education and Development of Human Resources Skill Base
• Development of Partnerships and Linkages
• Exploitation of Research Infrastructures
• Embarking on Project Based Initiatives
Strategy a Sectoral Level• Product and Process Innovation
– Technical Market Studies
– Sectoral Competitive Calls
• Test Bed Initiatives– Innovation Villages (e.g. Green Villages)
– Thematic Pharma Clinical Island
– International Food & Beverage Showcase
– Test Factory Mark
• R&D Government Structures– Development of Technology Platforms
– Reinforcement of Funding Unit
– Strengthening of Patent Framework
Long Term Strategy
Position to exploit Emerging Technologies.
Example: In Europe there is a focus on Nano
Technology in Manufacturing and Medicine.
Malta cannot be left out from the process and has to invest accordingly.
Way Forward - OverviewHaving outlined the key outcomes, programmes and initiatives to be undertaken as part of the Manufacturing Research Strategy, it is now imperative to set a roadmap for ensuring its appropriate implementation in the coming years. A proposed way forward is outlined below:
Way Forward – Establish Technology Platforms
Once consensus from the corresponding Ministries is achieved on budgetary appropriations and responsibilities, Technology Platforms will need to be set up as follows:
Overarching Platform
Transversal Platforms
Vertical Platforms
Way Forward – Manufacturing Research Technology Platform
Way Forward – Thematic Platforms
Proposed Technology Platforms
16
• For Further Information Contact:
• Ing JP Sammut• Director, National Funding
Unit• Malta Council for Science and
Technology• Villa Bighi, Bighi• Kalkara, KKR1320•• Email:
[email protected] • • Tel: (356) 2360 2123• Fax: (356) 2166 0341 • Web: www.mcst.gov.mt