“Research has no borders. The synergy between researchers from different institutions and countries is the key to tackle the most relevant themes”, Massimo Inguscio, president of the National Research Council, said. “My presence in Malta fits into the groove of the visit made a few months ago with the then Minister of Education, Universitie and Research. The aim is to strengthen cooperation through research and innovation, including the euro-Mediterranean context”.

In line with national strategic priorities for research confirmed by the Minister of Education, Universitiy and Research, Valeria Fedeli, the CNR faces with increasing commitment the global challenges in key areas of science and technology, also by actively participating in the projects of European research. In this context, president Inguscio signed in Malta a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of Malta, the main Maltese academic and research institution.

The visit was also the occasion for an exchange of ideas on some major European projects that will reach important goals during the Maltese presidency of the EU Council. First, the large euro-Mediterranean research program PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean), which focuses on the issues of food systems and water resources that, after years of hard work, will be approved in May by Europe’s research ministers.

Secondly, discussion touched the Flagship in ‘Quantum Technologies’, a ten-year research program funded by the European Commission that will involve all Member States, with a total investment of one billion euro from 2018. The Italian National Research Council coordinates the Italian roadmap, composed of universities and research organizations. The Ministry of Education, University and Research, and the National Research Council fund the European preparatory project QuantERA. In a partnership that also involves the University of Malta and the National Institute of Metrology research, the construction of the undersea fiber quantum connection between Malta and Sicily is at an advanced stage. Finally, the ‘Bluemed’ project, an initiative with Italian leadership aimed at strengthening European co-ordination in the areas of research and ‘blue’ innovation in the Mediterranean. In this context, the agreement signed by the CNR with the University of Malta becomes crucial for the development of new and strategic joint projects.

(ITALPRESS/MNA).

Source: medNews