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Most of the things we take for granted - a longer life expectancy, better communication, more comfortable living, and faster travel, among others – can easily be attributed to analogue development. But while this is true, it is safe to say that the future is digital, and it is in the hands of digital leaders who spend their days looking for new ways on how to improve the status quo. 

The team of researchers at the within the University of Malta, are among the most prolific researchers in the areas of ICT on the Maltese Islands, with lecturers’ and students’ research covering so many different disciplines.

From data science, to blockchain and fintech, audio, speech and language technology, deep learning, the internet of things, telecommunications, and digital health – this year’s projects are once again pushing the boundaries of digital communication.

And the Exhibition is not just a show of their constant commitment to research in these various fields of study, but it should also come as a realisation that more and more people are appreciating the value digital economy and digital software can bring to their lives.

Carrying the theme ‘Nurturing a Community of Digital Leaders’, this exhibition is not just innovative for its ground-breaking content, but also for the way it is being delivered to its audience. Whilst the foyer at the Faculty of ICT building will, as every other year, house the physical exhibition as a proud display of the work of its students, a virtual walkthrough featuring most of the projects and a number of panels spring boarding discussions that need to be had.

How can supply-chain systems better handle the flow and transformation of goods? How can fraud be detected in credit card transactions? How can business intelligence be used to improve business performance? How can software developers be more confident of the software they’re about to release? How can we achieve seamless shared mobility that is cheaper and more environmentally friendly? How can CCTV cameras become clearer and of more help as forensic evidence? How can machines learn to approach diabetes monitoring more effectively? Can machine learning distinguish between real and fake news? These are but a few questions the students are attempting to answer through their valuable work.

“Although we are a young faculty, formed just 13 years ago in 2007, I am proud of how responsive we have been to the new reality, and of how my staff has met this challenge head on, both by migrating all lectures online, as well as by making virtual labs available to students. Then again, this forms part of how important ICT can be, and is, to everyday life”, says the Dean of the Faculty, .

Whether you’re thinking of joining this family of ground-breaking researchers, or are just curious to know more about the breadth of research being done and how it may affect your life, make sure to visit the exhibition, listen to the panels, and be as up to date as you can by reading the official publication.

The panels will tackle the following matters:

• Panel 1 - Opening & The Role of Academia in the Industry

• Panel 2 - STEM Subjects: How to engage with the future generations

• Panel 3 - Emerging Technologies 

• Panel 4 - Research & Innovation: What future prospects are there in a post-pandemic scenario