Experts from various European countries gathered in Malta to discuss Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) and how these can be put to good use at a local level to promote innovation, particularly through the active involvement of local authorities, innovators and companies.
Data released by Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Commission, shows that Malta has the highest share of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduates in the European Union (EU). In 2015, 8.5% of the students who graduated in Malta attained an ICT-related degree which is more than double the EU average of 3.5%. Furthermore, Malta also ranks 5th in the EU for graduates in the natural sciences, mathematics and statistics degrees.
The engagement of startups in the innovation process and how their role as regional and industry innovation providers could be improved was at the heart of the discussion during an interregional meeting hosted by Malta Enterprise for its partners in the Innova Foster project.