Xjenza Malta and Italy’s Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche sign agreement to strengthen research, innovation
On Wednesday, Xjenza Malta and Italy’s Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) signed an agreement which will facilitate research and innovation.
A government statement read that the agreement “reflects a shared vision for the future and supports both existing and new research collaborations.”
The agreement will facilitate research and innovation, emphasizing tangible results and providing funding for researchers to collaborate on activities and projects that lay the foundation for larger long-term partnerships, the statement read.
Minister for Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, who presided over the signing of this agreement, said that through it, Malta is strengthening collaboration with Italy, which holds significant strategic value, through the partnership in research and innovation between the two countries.
“It is also an agreement that shows how much importance we are placing on research and innovation, an agreement that also establishes a structured framework to advance joint research initiatives with other countries,” Grima said.
Another goal of the agreement is to increase the commitment of Xjenza Malta and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) to bridge the gap between science and society, ensuring that research results are accessible and impactful beyond academia.
CEO of Xjenza Malta Silvio Scerri described the agreement as an important step in regional cooperation.
“This partnership between Xjenza Malta and the CNR represents an effective model for regional collaboration. By pooling our resources and knowledge, we can drive research and innovation forward and address the global challenges of our time through meaningful scientific cooperation,” he said.
Scerri went on that the signing of the agreement is just the beginning of the evolving dynamic relationship, which will not only benefit Malta and Italy, but also the wider Mediterranean region and the European Research Area.
President of the CNR Professor Maria Chiara Carrozza echoed the same sentiment, emphasizing the strategic relevance of this partnership.
“The collaboration between CNR and Xjenza Malta will enhance our collective capacities in addressing urgent scientific challenges, while fostering the spirit of European and Mediterranean cooperation,” she said.
Carrozza said the CNR looked forward to seeing the fruits of the great potential the partnership holds for scientific discovery and social advancement.
Both parties share a joint ambition for this cooperation to expand into a formal bilateral research funding program, similar to Xjenza Malta’s current collaborations.
This agreement marked a significant milestone in research cooperation between Italy and Malta, the government statement read.
It continued that both institutions welcomed this agreement with satisfaction and expressed their commitment to further strengthening joint research efforts.
It said that Malta and Italy recognized that research is crucial for driving sustainable economic growth and addressing socio-economic challenges. Italy has been one of Xjenza Malta’s most prominent partners, particularly through CNR’s involvement in maritime and marine research.
Collaborative projects, including BlueMissionMed, JPI Oceans, and the Horizon Europe Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, have been essential in advancing the sustainable development of the Mediterranean and in opening new economic opportunities in the blue economy, the statement read.
This collaboration also extends to a wide range of areas under Horizon Europe, further demonstrating the commitment to cooperation between the two sides.
The statement said that the collaboration aims to address a broader range of scientific challenges and opportunities by expanding into new thematic areas that address needs identified by national strategies.
The agreement was signed by Carrozza, President of the CNR in Italy, and Scerri, CEO of Xjenza Malta.