About the event
Collaborative Futures is a groundbreaking Wales-Malta Initiative uniting experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore innovative solutions for independent living and healthy ageing. This dynamic event showcases real-world technology applications, from IoT-driven smart living to dementia-friendly design, highlighting the power of cross-border collaboration in research, innovation, and digital accessibility.
Event Programme
Through keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive showcases, attendees will discover how living labs, assistive technology, and research breakthroughs can transform the future of healthy, independent living. With a focus on scalability, real-world impact, and next-gen solutions, this initiative sets the stage for new partnerships, funding opportunities, and long-term collaboration between Wales and Malta.
10.00
Welcome & Opening Remarks (10 mins)
Edwin Ward to set the stage and outline the purpose of the event.
10.10
Keynote Address: Assisted Technology and its Impact on Life Quality (20 mins)
Joe Vella, Assistant Director, FITA
Rapporteur: TBC
10.30
Keynote Presentation: Swansea University-FITA Collaboration (20 mins)
Carlo Stivala, Executive Head, FITA
Professor Andrea Tales, Co-Director of The Centre for Ageing and Dementia research, Swansea University FITA representative and Swansea University speaker discuss the development and success of the Independent Living Hub.
Rapporteur: Joe Sciortino
10.50
Panel Discussion 1: Living Labs and National Innovation (40 mins)
How living labs play a strategic role dealing with multiple transitions (social, health, mobility, digital, green, culture & creativity, etc.)
Keynote and Moderator: Joseph Sammut, Director, MediMalta Network
Guest speakers
Excel4Med
MDIA
Xjenza
FITA
Melita (Kenneth Spiteri)
Rapporteur: TBC
11.30
Living Lab Tour (FITA)
Break / Networking Session (30 mins)
12.00
Panel Discussion 2: Transforming Independent Living Through IoT (40 mins)
Guest Speakers:
Melita (Kenneth Spiteri)
Kim Farrugia
FITA
Topics:
Role of IoT in independent living projects.
Opportunities for scaling similar projects.
Rapporteur: Professor Andrea Tales
12.40
Showcase: Dementia Network Research Project (20 mins)
Topic: Along the Theme of.....How to ensure that the technology designed for people living with dementia will be successful in terms of 'take-up', useability, effectiveness and continued use'.
Speaker: Andrea Tales Key insights from ongoing research and the potential for independent living applications. emphasising the need for a 'network' and involving people living with dementia from ideation, through design, to adaption and daily use. Rapporteur: Kim Farrugia
13.00
Lunch (60 mins)
14.00
Panel Discussion 3: Research Innovations for Independent Living (40 mins)
Guest Speakers: Kim Farrugia, Chris Churcher, Carlo Stivala, and others.
Keynote: Chris Churcher: The Cost of Proper Care For The Elderly Highlights of ongoing projects.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Rapporteur: Joseph Sammut
14.40
Workshop on 'Building Networks Across Borders' led by Professor Andrea Tales and facilitated by Joe Sciortino and Kim Farrugia
Rapporteur: TBC
15.20
Future Collaborations & Closing Remarks (10 mins)
Discuss potential new projects, funding opportunities, and next steps.
Edwin Ward wraps up with a call to action for attendees to engage further.
Rapporteur: Kim Farrugia
15.30
Ends
Contact.
This event is by invitation only. For any enquiries please contact admin@walesmalta.com
Partners.
