Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/358967
maltatoday, Wednesday, 6 august 2014 16 Events Out with the old, in with the new: Kia gives more value New trends in University's research funding Tools, trade and traditions The advantages of buying a new car are numerous, but buying a new Kia goes beyond the standard pluses. Cars international, local agents for Kia, have come up with exception- al conditions to get rid of your old car and get the car of your dreams which suits your lifestyle and meet the needs of your family. Although the government scrap rebate of €500 for your old car is now closed, Cars International are now offering, and not just the €500, but offering double, triple and four times as much in value for your old car, giving you peace of mind as all Kia models coming with a seven- year guarantee. The offer is available on Rio, cee'd, cee'd station wagon, pro_cee'd, Sportage and Carens. This is a lim- ited stock offer and is valid until August 11. have a close look at the Kia mod- els, find out the rebate you will ben- efit from and ask for a test-drive by contacting Cars International at Mdina Road, Qormi, tel. 2269 2120, kiasales@cil.com.mt. You may also visit their Facebook page Kia Mo- tors Malta for latest promotions and news. ReSeARCh is a cru- cial element for a com- petitive economy. It is also one of the driving forces of a modern day university. Investment in research and devel- opment is no longer an option for european countries, irrespective of size or of economic traditions. Only such investment can guar- antee a sustainable eco- nomic stability for these countries and will give european countries a fair chance to become truly competitive notwithstanding the global challenging scenarios being created by emerging econo- mies. In a world beyond knowledge bor- ders, the University of Malta is ex- panding its research activities from curiosity-driven studies to result- driven breakthroughs thanks to a cultural shift and generosity of the Maltese people with their contribu- tion to the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT), ac- cording to Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri. Through RIDT, the University is seeking to generate substantial ad- ditional research funding from a variety of sources, including cor- porates, NGOs and individuals. For this purpose, apart from generat- ing awareness about the excellent research that is being carried out at University, RIDT is introducing and promoting a culture of giving to University research as this is another good cause that deserves philanthropic support. While in no way absolving the government's obligation to keep supporting financially University research, as government financ- ing remains crucial and needs to be boosted, government should also consider ways of supporting research funding, particularly via a number of schemes to encourage and boost the flow of private dona- tions. These suggestions are outlined by RIDT in its Annual Report for 2013, which features a comprehensive overview of its activities during the past year and showcases how after three years of laying the ground- work of community-supported re- search initiatives, RIDT is contrib- uting towards a knowledge-based Maltese society. University Rector Professor Juan- ito Camilleri said, "We received donations from a range of sectors of our society – foundations, cor- porates, individuals, academics and students. This is indeed a strong indication that the culture change that we required is beginning to happen. We thank all those who have made a contribution, large or small, for believing in our mission and sup- porting it." "Our fundraising work at RIDT is driv- en by Malta's vision to become a knowledge- based economy, with research and inno- vation fuelling our economy of tomor- row. Our priorities are compatible with the opportunities and challenges of to- day and thus the research projects and programmes we fund, and seek to fund, aim at addressing our soci- ety's needs in a variety of domains," said RIDT's CeO Wilfred Kenely. As the Annual Report 2013 notes, in the previous year two NGOs joined hands to raise funds for breast cancer research and donated €55,000 to help fund a Ph.D. level research in this area of study. This prompted others to follow suit and around Christmas 2013, the stu- dents and staff of the University decided to raise funds for a number of charities, including cancer re- search, via RIDT. RIDT is dedicated to create a rich, multidimensional research culture in Malta backed by the society it serves. RIDT welcomes donations of all sizes to serve the public good at www.ridt.eu. Those who would like to find out more how they could contribute can contact RIDT's of- fice on tel. no 23408201 or email wilfred.kenely@ridt.org.mt TOOlS, Trades & Traditions at Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, operated by Infinitely Xara, is a unique mu- seum in Malta presenting a single private collection of circa 2,000 ob- jects and tools related to an array of trades. Curated by Architecture Project (AP), the prime role is given to the artefact, both as a tool matching specific requirements, but also as a collectable in its own right. The collection is exhibited in such a way as to promote the aesthetic and his- toric qualities of the objects. Joseph Zammit Tabona started his collection in the early 1970s when his wife Susan inherited a few items from her step-father, the late Dr.Thomas Agius Ferrante. A con- sultant paediatrician, he had over the years, received several tools as presents, from the farming families he was visiting. This formed the ba- sis of the collection and the start of a lifetime obsession. During the following two decades the collection grew at the rhythm of the weekly visits to the Sunday market in Valletta, but also to local antique shops where old tools could still be found. The collection was regularly expanded, almost obses- sively, with many items that were unusual and M a l t e s e . each item has a story, a con ne c t ion with the col- lector and in most cases with Malta. h o w - ever, what p r o m p t e d the idea of creating a m u s e u m was the ac- q u i s i t i o n , some years back, of Pawlu Tanti's collection, which almost doubled the initial number of items. The museum is designed around five main sections that were derived from the study of the existing collec- tion being Precision and Ornament, The Art of Building, From The Field To The Table, Measuring our World and Traditions. each collection has its own qualities, logic, shortcom- ings that have been curated into a contemporary assemblage which highlights the creative diversity and constant innovation that is hidden behind each of these objects. Tools, Trades and Traditions of- fers a window on past tools and trades, a place where to learn and recall memories, but also a place for intimate and silent discoveries. Mgarr Marina first to have jet ski floating docks IF you are a jet ski owner, there is one very valid reason why to move to Mgarr Marina in Gozo. Apart from its existing 240 berthing spaces for all kinds and sizes of boats, har- bour Management ltd, operators of Mgarr Marina, added floating docks for jet skis, saving owners the has- sle of trailing them in and out of the water every time. Currently, the facilities accom- modate six jet skis but these will increase on demand. The floating docks allow users to lift their jet ski, or even a small boat, at the touch of a throttle and the jet ski slides into position with the help of rollers. launching the jet ski into the water is equally easy as with a slight push, the jet ski is back into the water. hiring a jet ski floating dock saves you a lot of stress not only during the summer season as the facilities offer an all-year-round solution, allowing jet skis to dry out of the water. "Although we have only launched the facilities recently, there is a high demand for them as they save own- ers time and hard work to trail jet skis and launching them in and out of the water," said Mgarr Marina General Manager Gennaro Xerri. "Apart from that, the facilities al- low no marine growth or corrosion on the hull as the jet ski will not be touching the water. The facilities are easy and convenient to use, serviced with fresh water supply for rinsing, engine-flushing after use and safely berthed in a secured marina." For further information and res- ervation, contact Gennaro Xerri on 99242501 or send an email to info@ gozomarina.net.