A Local Strategic Partnership for the Knowledge Society

The Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit (FTZ) is a Maltese not-for-profit foundation drawing key stakeholders together in a strategic partnership to boost regional development. It is a collaborative network implementing international, European and local projects of benefit to the whole community.

Conscious that a highly-competitive economy can only be achieved if public and private organisations join forces to attain the critical mass of resources needed, several local leading players have set up FTZ as an inclusive platform to undertake projects which build on the traditional strengths of Malta’s workforce – a spirit of creativity, enterprise and a rich knowledge base. In practice, FTZ is establishing itself as the island’s premier multi-stakeholder partnership for regional development, providing lifelong education and training opportunities and promoting the formation of a strong research and innovation culture. It aims to create greater social cohesion and contribute to the moulding of tomorrow’s knowledge-based society – “an inclusive society without frontiers to knowledge”.

Brief Background

Why was FTZ set up and what is its role today?

The intention to set up FTZ was announced in July 2003 by the Minister of Education, the Hon. Dr Louis Galea, following a call for interested public and private organisations to join the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) as core members of the foundation. The first board meeting was held in October, while the statute and deed of foundation were signed and registered at the Public Registry in May 2004.

Initially set up to provide e-learning services and promote educational projects, its role has developed to include support for local players embarking on research and innovation projects, as well as regional development initiatives in general. FTZ helps to provide the critical mass often required for participation in such projects, through networking, clustering and capacity-building actions. Ministries, local councils and SMEs all stand to benefit from the foundation's activities.

What is its legal standing?

FTZ is a non-profit foundation established by public deed, qualifying as a public equivalent body as defined by EU legislation.

Organisational Set-up

FTZ Board

The FTZ Board is composed of a maximum of 15 individuals, currently representing 11 core corporate members. Legal representation lies with the President, Dr Malcolm Mifsud, and the Secretary General, Mr Jesmond Xuereb, who also occupies the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The legal advisor of the foundation, Dr Cedric Mifsud, acts as Board Secretary.

Units, Centres and International Networks

FTZ's three inter-related units were set up to build on the experience the foundation has gained so far in each area of activity:

e - eLearning, Education & Training;

c - Culture, Cities & Development;

i - ICT, Innovation & RTD.

In practice, the unit teams work very closely together to achieve their common goals. This collaborative effort by the foundation's top asset - its dedicated human resources - is best witnessed in the way FTZ operates the national centres it was entrusted to set up.

AKC → The Avicenna Knowledge Centre is a node for e-learning, producing and sharing online modules with partners from 45 EuroMed and Commonwealth countries.

RMC → FTZ has been mandated by the Ministry of Education to set up and run the Researchers' Mobility Centre, part of the European ERA-MORE network supporting incoming and outgoing researchers and their families and promoting the attractiveness of research careers.

MEA → A third mandate, given to FTZ by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Small Business, Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, concerns the setting up of an Energy Management Agency for Malta.

Furthermore, FTZ is a founding member of:

VUSSC → the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), led by the Commonwealth of Learning; and

AVU → an international consortium setting up the Avicenna Virtual University, under the auspices of UNESCO.

FTZ has also joined the Malta network of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures (ALF), and is a member of the ERA-MORE network of European research mobility centres, hosting the national portal for research mobility (www.eracareers.org.mt; http://europa.eu.int/eracareers).