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The Malta Independent | Thursday 4 February 2016
The Malta Independent ICT Feature
Successful Open Day at MITA Data Centre As part of the Public Service Week 2016, MITA held an Open Day for the general public at the MITA Data Centre in Santa Venera on Sunday 31st January. Visitors had the opportunity to tour around the MITA Data Centre facilities. An overview of the Government ICT infrastructure and the different specialised ICT departments were delivered by a number of MITA employees. It was also an opportunity for students to meet ICT professionals in order to get Career Guidance in Networking, Development, System Administration and Op-
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The Malta Independent | Thursday 4 February 2016
erations. MEP Hon. Dr. Miriam Dalli and Principle Permanent Secretary Mr. Mario Cutajar visited the MITA Data Centre during the day. MITA Executive Chairman discussed with MEP Hon Dr Miriam Dalli, MITA’s role in the National Digital Strategy implementation and its alignment with the European Agenda. Dr. Dalli stated that she looked forward to follow closely the work that MITA will be doing during the coming months and to collaborate further towards a Digital Malta.
MITA Communications and PR Team MITA held an Open Day for the general public at the MITA Data Centre in Santa Venera on Sunday 31st January as part of the Public Service Week 2016. A special training day was organised for those interested in using startAPP 2.0 as a launchpad for starting a business using free satellite data on Monday 1st
February. The bootcamp was organised thanks to MITA’s collaboration with the Malta Council for Science. All ICT Features are available on www.mita.gov.mt/ictfeature
ESA and Airbus experts in Malta to train startups and developers on using free satellite data Alexander Borg On Monday 1st February a special training day was organised for those interested in using startAPP 2.0 as a launchpad for starting a business using free satellite data. The bootcamp was organised thanks to MITA’s collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) who, through their membership of the Eurisy consortium, brought experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus Defence & Space specifically for the event. The bootcamp, held at MCST premises in Bighi, consisted of a brief initial background of what generates satellite data, in what form the raw data are created and what datasets are best suited for the various types of application, e.g. air monitoring, maritime vessel detection, etc. This was followed by an intensive hands-on training where all 35 attendees – startups, academics and software developers – gained hands-on experience on how to get their hands dirty in processing data related to real world applications of satellite
data using the ESA toolbox called SNAP. For example, they learnt how to generate maps of Malta expressing various degrees of vegetation through infrared reflection by plants detected by the ESA satellites in orbit; or how to outline images of sea pollution during the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill for the purpose of determining the evolution and direction of the oil slicks. Such training will be useful for the startups to propose solutions to test using Malta as a test bed. The bootcamp was the key focus of various startAPP 2.0 events which were organised by the MITA Innovation Hub to support startup founders and tech entrepreneurs in preparing for submitting their proposal on how they will use open earth observation and geo-spatial data generated by ESA satellites Copernicus Sentinel 1A and Sentinel 2A, and other imagery provided by Airbus Defence and Space. Other events organised by the MIH, in collaboration with the MCST, to support the startups interested in startAPP 2.0, included an information and networking event, a user needs scoping session at the Takeoff incubator at the University of Malta, and three Design Thinking sessions to help with ideation, prototype design and storytelling. The latter are crucial to help the startups design a solution which prioritises end user needs above all. MITA will fund the two best proposals to the tune of €22,000
per startup. The deadline date for submission of the proposal is 29th February. As part of the evaluation, all startups will have to pitch their idea at a public event in Smartcity. To benefit from the seed investment, the startups must commit to incorporate into a business undertak-
ing and explain how they will use their prototype as a launchpad for their business. To get more details about this call visit: http://mitainnovationhub.gov. mt/startapp The training was also organised for individuals interested in the MEPA/MCST app challenge. This is a competition organised to develop an app that delivers a pre-operational prototype of a solution that addresses one of MEPA’s needs and challenges. A cash prize of €11,000 and Airbus data worth €4,000 will be offered. For details about this call visit http://www.malta-appchallenge.com/ MITA Innovation Hub