AI to manage traffic jams and personalise education in €4 million investment

May 19 2022

A €4 million investment has just been announced which will see the Maltese government deploying artificial intelligence in six different sectors.

Addressing a press conference, Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri detailed how the investment will be utilised to maximise different sectors on the island.

Among the investments are a whopping €1,900,000 input into the traffic management sector. This will see the incorporation of traffic lights, CCTVs and display panels to reduce the ever problematic impact of traffic on Maltese roads.

A massive €150,000 investment will go into education to create personalised educational programmes, whereas €376,000 will go into maximising energy resources.

For the tourism sector, €800,000 will be dedicated to better the experience of tourists by creating ‘personas’ which will suggest routes and experiences according to their preferences.

When it comes to governmental service, a ‘chatbot’ will be developed through an investment of €590,000 to improve the mobile app, email and freephone services from the government. Finally a forecasting app for the health sector will be developed through €300,000.

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Exam assistance for ADHD and dyslexic students peaked in 2021

May 19 2022

As reported by MaltaToday, quoting a statistical report by MATSEC, 679 candidates were given examination access arrangements (EAAs) when sitting for their O-levels in 2021.

Male students were twice as likely as females to request EEAs, with students hailing from private independent schools registering higher numbers of requesting assistance.

679 candidates means 13.5% of all registrations. 18.4% were male students and 9.3% were female candidates. The difference was attributed to research showing that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with conditions like ADHD.

Applications are processed by the ACCESS-Disability Support Committee of the University of Malta. The EAAs come in various forms, depending on the condition of the student.

They include extra time, rest periods, modified papers, larger prints, communicators and readers, etc. These have made it possible for more students to continue their education.

Many students applying for the arrangements suffer from conditions like ADHD, dyslexia and autism. In 2021, around 257 students requesting EEAs suffered from specific difficulties related to dyslexia. 191 students suffered from difficulties related to ADHD.

The percentages shot up from just 1.6% of candidates to 13.5% from 2004 to 2021.

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New centre for kids with sensory processing disorder inaugurated

May 19 2022

Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Chris Fearne, alongside Education and Sports Minister Clifton Grima, inaugurated a new Marsa complex which will give aid, education and support to kids with sensory processing disorder.

Fearne noted how medical science was acquiring more awareness of such disorders and thus required further social awareness and institutional assistance.

The Health Minister stated how the data shows that around 1 in 20 kids could suffer from such a condition. And despite not everyone needing intense medical care, some would greatly benefit from such rooms.

Called Sensory Integration Therapy, the new centre will focus on providing such tools for children who are born with some form of sensory processing disorder. The clinics also give mentoring to those seeking to continue their studying in the field, given that this is a very young and specialised form of therapy.

Speaking during the press conference, Minister Clifton Grima said that the educational system needs to incorporate all children, whatever their context, as to ensure that they all have the best assistance which could bee provided. He said that this initiative has children as its focus.

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Malta’s Got Talent will return this October with Season 2!

May 19 2022

It’s that time again for the Maltese to show us what they’ve got! Malta’s Got Talent Season 2 will be returning to your screens this October.

It is set to be officially be announced next week and will air during the winter schedule. Another successful production by greatt, the first season saw Jomike and Lydon bringing traditional Maltese Ghana and winning the honorary title.

The show saw many more talented acts, from dancers to singers, fire jugglers, comedic acts, magic… you name it! So we’re sure that the second season will bring in some new bizarre talents for us to marvel at!

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We will also have to wait and see who will make up the judging panel this year. Season 1 saw Howard Keith, Sarah Zerafa, Maxine Aquilina and Ray Attard come face to face with all sorts of performances!

And who knows, maybe acts from the previous season will try and shoot their shot once more and see if they can snatch that top prize. We will have to wait and see!

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