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11.07.19 INNOVATION LIAM CARTER AN €800,000 government fund is set to aid students gain hands-on working experience in the industry of the future, Parliamentary Secretary for Fi- nancial Services Silvio Schem- bri has announced. When he met participating students, Schembri reiterated government's commitment to- wards exposing students to a work place experience. "is year the government has once again increased the allocated budget by 30% to the tune of €800,000 for the Stu- dent Placement Programme," he said. "Tthis is proof of the govern- ment's commitment towards giving an opportunity to our youths to have hands-on work- ing experience in the industry of the future. is preparation can only be achieved, however, if we are able to build on the academic prowess of our youth and provide them with oppor- tunities such as these." Schembri said that Malta's human capital played a major role in convincing new compa- nies to invest in Malta. "e number of companies requiring employees having knowledge of emerging tech- nologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and virtual reality is always on the increase," he told the participants. "is is an op- portunity for you all and focus- ing your studies in these areas will surely help have a success- ful career." MITA's Head of Strategy and Business, Emmanuel Darma- nin, said that in the last five years, MITA - together with employer partners - has been able to offer over 1,600 place- ments in all sectors through this programme. ese place- ments have provided mean- ingful exposure to ICT and ICT-using industry. Over 380 students had found placements this year alone. "In line with the various in- itiatives related to emerging technologies, this year's event has been created with a direct focus on some of these tech- nologies," he said. Darmanin also encouraged students to make use of MITA's New Emerging Technologies Lab and experience the prac- tical use of these technologies. Students took part in work- shops related to virtual real- ity, artificial intelligence and blockchain. During the event, Schembri also announced that the gov- ernment''s official blockchain even, Delta Summit, will be re- branded to Government Tech Week and will be held between 30 September and 6 October and will cover different areas such as AI, IOT, Blockchain, Esports, Game Development and Space. More information can be ob- tained on https://delta-sum- mit.com/ €800,000 state fund to give students working experience in ICT industry "This year the government has once again increased the allocated budget by 30% to the tune of 800,000 euro for the Student Placement Programme" Parliamentary secretary Silvio Schembri discussing technology with students and (below) addressing attendees

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