Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1292560
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 13 COMMERCIAL Launch of new European hub to transform Malta's mobility ecosystem THE Malta EIT Urban Mobility Hub, which was launched at the Chamber of Commerce in Val- letta on Tuesday, aims to inspire positive change to ensure acces- sible and sustainable mobility for all. The Hub will be hosted by a consortium of three partners that represent the three communi- ties of the 'Knowledge Triangle Integration (KTI)'. Project Aegle Foundation (PAF) will be the lead partner representing the industry community in Malta, while the Valletta Cultural Agency, through the Valletta Design Cluster, repre- sents the community of start-ups and neighbourhood groups and MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) repre- sents the academic and education community. The Hub will also connect with the relevant nation- al and local authorities such as Transport Malta and local coun- cils, sharing expertise from the EIT Urban Mobility innovation community with them. "The main objective of this Hub is to facilitate networking between all the stakeholders and develop opportunities for local players representing industry, ac- ademia, research, innovation and cities," Camille Bon, Lead Project Manager at Project Aegle Foun- dation, said. "From its physical home at Mal- ta's new urban living lab at the Valletta Design Cluster, the Hub will deliver the networks, collab- orative processes, and a focused vision needed to best engage with EIT Urban Mobility projects into the future. It will also offer sup- port and grants to encourage positive initiatives to improve Malta's traffic situation and in- frastructure." Stakeholders that are part of the EIT Urban Mobility initia- tive can expect multiple benefits. Apart from accessing EU fund- ing and other funding streams, stakeholders will enjoy oppor- tunities and potential investor connections throughout Europe via increased visibility in an in- ternational network. They will also benefit from innovation and stakeholder networking through the international EIT Urban Mo- bility ecosystem and education and training support from lead- ing international universities. By the bridge formed through the initiative between the EU and Malta – and the transport indus- try and its users – stakeholders can also share knowledge and establish good practices between countries already running suc- cessful initiatives. The launch event of the Malta EIT Urban Mobility Hub includ- ed presentations by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Hon Ian Borg, by EIT Urban Mobility Innovation Hub South Director, Daniel Serra, by EIT Urban Mobility RIS (Re- gional Innovation Scheme) Direc- tor, Bence Huba, by Prof. Joachim James Calleja, Principal and CEO of Malta College of Art, Science and Technology (MCAST) and by Corinne Muscat Terribile from the Malta Council for Science and Technology. The event also marked the Hub's first official activity: a stakeholder workshop. This interactive ses- sion discussed limitations and requirements when building a resilient, long-term management plan that will achieve sustainable urban mobility in Malta. Simonds Farsons Cisk plc re-certified with NCPE Equality Mark THE National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has re-certified Si- monds Farsons Cisk plc with the Equality Mark Certifica- tion, based on evidence that the company has kept its com- mitment to implement rele- vant policies and practices that concern gender equality and family friendly measures at the place of work and the provi- sion of goods and services. "The company is proud to have been re-certified with the Equality Mark, which is a formal recognition of the com- mitment to providing equal access to career opportunities to employees, regardless of gender and caring responsibili- ties," said Ms Antoinette Caru- ana, Group HR Manager. "This re-certification is a recognition that Simonds Farsons Cisk fol- lows the respective standards related to gender equality." This includes having policies in place, including an internal reporting procedure should employees require to speak up on any related issue. The company's recruitment and employment principles are based on providing equal opportunities to candidates irrespective of gender. Em- ployees have equal career and personal development opportunities and access to family friendly schemes. Simonds Farsons Cisk al- so organised training ses- sions related to diversity and gender equality as part of its commitment to create awareness on gender equal- ity matters.