At Esplora, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti launched the National STEAM Engagement Taskforce, with the participation of Esplora Senior Director Mary Ann Cauchi and the heads of the entities involved.
This national initiative, launched in collaboration with Xjenza Malta, represents an important step in Esplora’s evolution from a STEM-based model to a more comprehensive STEAM approach, which brings together science and technology with the arts, design and creative thinking.
The Taskforce brought together various institutions and stakeholders – from education and research to industry, the arts and public policy – to work in a coordinated manner to identify national challenges in the STEAM sector, develop common solutions, share data and promote evidence-based policymaking.
Key participating entities included Arts Council Malta, the Institute for Education, JobsPlus, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the Malta Chamber of Engineers, the Malta Chamber of Scientists, MATSEC, MCAST, MEYR, the National Skills Council, Tech.mt, the University of Malta, MEIA, Chamber of SMEs and Xjenza Malta.
During the event, the heads of all participating entities signed the official Taskforce Charter, thereby committing themselves to ongoing cooperation, shared expertise and joint action to strengthen the STEAM ecosystem in Malta.
Through this framework, the country will be better positioned to prepare future generations capable of navigating creativity, technology and innovation with confidence.
In his remarks, Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasised the national importance of this initiative, stating that the launch of the Taskforce represents a key step in aligning Malta’s education and workforce development with the demands of a rapidly changing world. He stressed that the integration of the arts with science and technology provides students and workers with more complete and resilient skill sets, which contribute directly to innovation and economic growth.
Esplora Senior Director Mary Ann Cauchi further explained that this national partnership reflects Esplora’s vision of serving as a catalyst for curiosity, creativity and collaboration. She said that STEAM education is not only a means of preparing children and young people for the jobs of the future, but also a way of equipping them with critical thinking, imagination and a sense of responsibility that enables them to contribute towards a sustainable and innovative Malta.
The launch of the National STEAM Engagement Taskforce represents an important national step towards a holistic and modern approach to education, research, and innovation. This initiative places Malta in a strategic position to continue developing creative and competitive talent while strengthening collaboration between the artistic, scientific and technological ecosystems in the years ahead.
