The Chamber of Engineers (CoE) proudly announces the culmination of DRIVE STEM; Development of Resources and Improving Visibility for Engineering in STEM, a national initiative funded by the National STEM Community Fund 2024. The project addresses the urgent decline in STEM enrolment, particularly in engineering, and aims to strengthen Malta’s future workforce. 

Engineering is vital to Malta’s innovation and economy, yet the profession faces a growing talent gap. Many students and parents remain unaware of the diverse career opportunities in engineering. DRIVE STEM tackles this by showcasing the field’s relevance to real-world challenges, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Through compelling video testimonials from Maltese engineers in sectors like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and water management, the initiative highlights engineering’s societal value and career potential. These resources will be integrated into the existing initiatives such as the annual Engineer Your Career event, offering students, parents, and educators direct insights, mentorship, and inspiration to pursue engineering pathways. 

The stakeholder dissemination event held on 18th September at Villa Bighi marked a first milestone in deploying resources from the DRIVE STEM initiative. Attendees included Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia, MPs Inġ. Rebekah Borg and Inġ. Stanley Zammit, Dr Melchior Cini from Xjenza Malta, educators from secondary and tertiary institutions, and representatives from the National School Support Services. STEM teachers and career guidance professionals were shown the resources designed to attract students to engineering, and could engage with policy-makers, engineers, and academics in valuable cross-sector dialogue to advance the field.

At the opening of the dissemination event, Dr Inġ. Bonnie Attard, President of the Chamber of Engineers, affirmed the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at bridging the gap in STEM engagement. She emphasized the importance of equipping the next generation with the skills and mindset needed to lead Malta toward a future defined by innovation and resilience. The Chamber will be using the resources generated in this year’s Engineer Your Career Event as a continuation of the work in STEM Engagement.  

The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia highlighted the importance of the DRIVE STEM initiative as a key step in inspiring Malta’s next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. He stressed that achieving the country’s Vision 2050 goals and national priorities, ranging from infrastructure to sustainable energy, water security, and advanced industry, depends on the expertise of engineering professionals. With demand for technical and sustainability-related roles on the rise, he emphasised the need to encourage more students to pursue STEM subjects, noting how initiatives like DRIVE STEM and Engineer Your Career provide young people with the opportunity to explore the impact and possibilities of engineering. He underlined that investing in STEM education is an investment in Malta’s future, building a stronger, more sustainable, and competitive nation. 

Dr. Melchior Cini, Director for Research and Innovation at Xjenza Malta, emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening ties between research, innovation, and the wider community, stating that the future of the country relies on these connections. He highlighted the DRIVE STEM initiative as a prime example of cross-sector collaboration, noting its role in empowering and equipping young individuals with the tools, confidence, and inspiration needed to become the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders within the engineering field. 

The event highlighted the collective commitment of institutions, educators, and industry to inspire and guide the next generation of engineers. By uniting these efforts under the DRIVE STEM initiative, the Chamber of Engineers is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient STEM ecosystem in Malta 

The DRIVE STEM project was part financed by the National STEM Community Fund of Xjenza Malta, under whose remit operates the Esplora Interactive Science Centre, on behalf of the National STEM Engagement Working Group.