At a macro level, Malta’s stable political, economic and financial system is an important asset. The establishment of a number of high value-added economic sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, gaming and financial services is a positive development which, however does not necessarily translate automatically in an increase in innovation activity. This economic shift is therefore a strength which needs to be exploited wisely in order to increase indigenous innovation activity in Malta.

Malta’s geographic location and its EU membership provide an opportunity to build and foster more international linkages with foreign research groups and R&I intensive companies. The magnitude of the internal market also allows for improved economies of scale. Malta’s small size is often recognised as an opportunity for promoting Malta as a test-bed for new technologies prior to roll out on a larger scale. Diasporas of Maltese researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs are another opportunities to be harnessed in strengthening international linkages.

The University today has 14 faculties: 

Faculty of Arts; Faculty of the Built Environment; Faculty of Medicine & Surgery; Faculty of Economics, Management & Accountancy; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Health Sciences; Faculty of Information & Communication Technology; Faculty of Laws; Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences; Faculty of Science; Faculty of Wellbeing; Faculty of Theology.

A number of interdisciplinary institutes and centres have been set up in various fields. The institutes include the following: Aerospace Technologies; Anglo-Italian Studies; Baroque Studies; Climate Change & Sustainable Development; Confucius; Digital Games; Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies; Earth Systems; the Edward de Bono Institute for the Design & Development of Thinking; European Studies; Islands & Small States; Linguistics and Language Technology; Maltese Studies; Mediterranean Institute; Physical Education & Sport; Space Sciences & Astronomy; Sustainable Energy; Tourism, Travel & Culture.

The centres comprise of: Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics;  Centre for Distributed Ledger Technologies; Centre for English Language Proficiency; Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation; Centre for Environmental Education and Research; Centre for Labour Studies; Centre for the Liberal Arts & Sciences; Centre for Literacy; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; Centre for Resilience & Socio-Emotional Health; Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine; Centre for the Study & Practice of Conflict Resolution; and the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research.

Researchers at the University of Malta conduct research in a variety of areas ranging from adaptive systems to seismic monitoring. As the only University in Malta, we have a special responsibility to study areas of an indigenous or national dimension, such as local marine and terrestrial fauna and flora, properties and conservation issues related to the Maltese globigerina limestone, Malta's rich history, indigenous disorders such as thalassaemia, Maltese linguistics, and the resilience and vulnerability of islands and small states.

The University is also home to a number of leading research programmes, including digital games research, climate change, metamaterials, physical oceanography and maritime law. More about ongoing research at the University is available on the Research Website.

In the close run-up and following Malta’s accession to the European Union, the University of Malta could tap into various funds to step up its research activity and collaboration with both industry and international counterparts. In early 2007, a support unit for externally-funded projects, called for short the Project Support Team, was set up as it was clear that the University did not have the adequate administrative support structures to manage the number and increasing complexity of the projects in hand.

This cross-functional team includes administrators from Finance, Legal Services and the International Office who work together to support academics during the process of compiling a grant proposal, and once accepted, for the duration of the project. The Team makes sure that the University does not enter into any contractual or financial obligations which it cannot sustain or which are detrimental to its interests, it also makes sure that the University does in fact fulfil all its obligations.

The support offered by this Team, the availability of more funding programmes both locally and internationally, as well as the impact of the collective agreement which has encouraged academics to dedicate more time to their University career, have resulted in a significant increase in activity in ‘externally-funded’ research projects.

The Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office was set up in September 2009 to assist in with the transformation of the University into a modern-day 3rd Generation University built on three pillars, namely: teaching, corporate research, and direct and active participation in sustainable socio-economic development.

The main purposes of the Office are:

• To drive the Corporate Research agenda of the University in harmony with and in response to:
  • national, social and economic requirements
  • the needs of local industry
  • emerging expertise and intellectual property, and
  • funding opportunities.

• To assist the University and academic members of staff:
  • to define and protect intellectual property and commercially exploit research results
  • to participate in externally funded and collaborative research projects
  • to seek financing for corporate research initiatives.

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The Malta University Residence welcomes people of all national origins who travel to Malta for a holiday, on work placement, to expand their academic standings or visit their University colleagues. This vibrant cosmopolitan setting connects people (students and non-students), enhancing understanding and personal development.

The Residence is conveniently located 3.4 kms from the University Campus. The Residence operates a courtesy bus service connecting with the University directly and runs on a regular basis. Situated on extensive private grounds with a large communal pool and within walking distance from the quaint town centre of Lija and main public transport routes, the Residence is well positioned for accessing major shopping centres, historical sites and beautiful beaches.

In operation since 1994 the Malta University Residence has strived to provide good service in order to meet the living needs of thousands of long term and short term stay clients. The Residence is recognized for its safe surroundings and value-for-money. MUR provides a direct link to the University of Malta’s server, with students able to access the same information available on campus, with the Residence complex. No other establishment has this privilege. The internet service is free of charge and for the sole use of University of Malta Students.

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 The Doctoral School provides guidance and support to the thriving community of doctoral candidates and academic supervisory teams across all research degree programmes at UM.

Our team is committed to support and enhance the research experience of all doctoral candidates at the University. We bring together doctoral researchers and supervisory teams to benefit from the sharing of best practices. We work with different groups across the University to promote widespread dissemination of doctoral research. We work with other service providers to ensure that researchers are equipped with knowledge and skills that can be applied to academic or non-academic career paths they choose to follow.

Doctoral School Website

Based at the University of Malta, TAKEOFF is Malta’s first technology business incubator. The program is specifically designed to help innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs create successful science, technology, engineering, creative media and knowledge-based startup business – taking them from idea to investment and, well, to takeoff.

Bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors and investors, TAKEOFF aims to close the skills and resources gap experienced by entrepreneurs as they embark on their startup ventures.

The TAKEOFF program delivers a tailored package of benefits and guidance to entrepreneurs from inside and outside of the University of Malta. The program aims to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into market- and investor-ready ventures.

Located in the heart of university campus, the program aims to stimulate an energetic community of ideas, learning, support and determination – all critical ingredients for building great businesses.

TAKEOFF’s incubation programme focuses on exposing and connecting entrepreneurs and startups to an expanding community of mentors who have a desire to share their business and technology development experience, knowledge and networks. Experienced innovators, serial-entrepreneurs, domain experts, professional advisers help TAKEOFF entrepreneurs get on the right path and succeed.

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The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation (CEBI) was set up to educate and support graduates in the creation of successful Knowledge-Based and Knowledge-Intensive business ventures. It promotes knowledge-intensive, entrepreneurial culture in Malta through research and academic courses, with the wider aim of fostering the socio-economic development of the Maltese islands.

The research centre is currently targeting knowledge-intensive sectors such as science, technology, engineering, and creative media at the University of Malta and in the wider Maltese context.

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The Malta Life Sciences Park (MLSP) was conceived by the country’s economic development agency, Malta Enterprise, to provide an international class facility for life sciences and information technology development. The MLSP is designed to promote research and development and to spur the growth of the life sciences sector in Malta, building on the base that the country developed in the pharmaceutical industry during the last decade.

Co-financed through the European Regional Development Funds, the MLSP is divided into two main components: the Malta Life Sciences Centre and the Malta Digital Hub. In total, there are currently 13,500sqm of space comprising laboratories, offices, a seminar room, meeting rooms and various shared facilities.

The MLSP supports and encourages growth and success among its tenants, offering a stimulating environment for knowledge-intensive companies. Regardless of a company’s size or stage of development, the MLSP offers access to experienced and professional business and financial advice, as well as assistance for internationalization. A well-balanced combination of entrepreneurial and industrial competence is essential for the growth and development of every company, and at the MLSP there are no limits on a company’s opportunity to continually improve, develop and grow.

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Business First is a one-stop-shop business centre under Malta Enterprise offering a number of services aimed at facilitating the establishment of local businesses whilst also providing the necessary support for business growth and expansion. Business First provides a number of services related to business establishment in Malta. Such services cover the registration of a company or a self employed person, registration with the VAT and Inland Revenue Departments as may be applicable, registration for employment purposes, registration for the necessary licences and so forth.

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