"Traditional university education has been concerned with knowledge, analysis and judgement. In a rapidly changing world, the categories and classifications derived from the past may not be enough. There is also a need to develop the skills of design in its broadest sense: new concepts, new perceptions and new ways of doing things. Such design needs creativity. For the first time in history, we can now treat creativity in a systematic way as the changing of patterns in a self-organising information style. There is growing demand for such new thinking and a need to pay attention to these new demands from society."  (Edward de Bono)

The University in 1992 introduced Edward de Bono’s methodologies as a subject on an interdisciplinary basis within various faculties. This formed part of The Edward de Bono Programme for the Design and Development of Thinking which was established in collaboration with Professor Edward de Bono of Lateral Thinking fame. The programme became an Institute in September 2002. It aims to generate debate and discussion on Creative Thinking, Thinking Skills and the Direct Teaching of Thinking. The Institute offers a Master in Creativity and Innovation which commences annually in October.

Amongst other activities, the Institute organises regular international conferences and seminars. Five books with selected conference proceedings have been published. The Institute is involved in a number of educational initiatives including the Thinking Skills Programme in state primary and secondary schools in Malta. The Institute coordinates an EU funded ERASMUS curriculum development project which will offer a Joint Masters Programme in Strategic Innovation and Future Creation by blended learning.

The University of Malta seeks to respond innovatively to the unceasing evolution of the global and the local context in general, and to the economic challenge in particular. This commitment to flexibility is directing the University of Malta towards new areas. In a changing environment the future is not necessarily a repetition of the past. There is a central role for human thinking processes to cope with and make the best of the changes which are occurring all around us.