EPO President Applauds UM’s Research Talent

On Wednesday 15 April 2026, the University of Malta welcomed the President of the European Patent Office (EPO), António Campinos, for an official visit that highlighted the University’s growing strength in research, innovation, and intellectual property support.

The visit followed the launch of Malta’s first PATLIB centre in November 2025, hosted at the University of Malta. Since its establishment, the centre has already supported five clients on matters ranging from patentability and copyright to intellectual property ownership, due diligence, business strategy, and potential collaborations; marking an encouraging start for the initiative.

The delegation included senior representatives from both Malta and the EPO, among them Matthew Pisani, Godwin Warr, Stephen Rowan, and Alessia Volpe.

“This meeting underscored the importance of collaboration in initiatives aimed towards strengthening national intellectual property support services and advancing innovation. This was a natural follow up after the three entities worked together to set up Malta’s first PATLIB centre last year and augurs well for continued cooperation in the future”, said Mr Godwin Warr, of the Commerce Department, who facilitated this event. 

Proceedings began with a meeting in the Council Room led by the University’s Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Prof. Ing. Simon G. Fabri, who delivered an overview of the Knowledge Transfer Office and its role in supporting innovation at the University. The presentation also outlined the early impact of the PATLIB centre and the range of queries it has handled since its launch.

The delegation was then introduced to the University’s broader research and innovation ecosystem, including the Knowledge Transfer Office, Research Support Services Directorate, Research Grants Finance Management, the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office, the Legal Office, the Malta University Holding Company, the Centre for Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation, and the Malta University Innovation Portfolio.

In recent years, the University has recorded 31 intellectual property filings, alongside the creation of several spinout companies, with others currently in development.

A key highlight of the visit was a tour of the Engineering Research & Innovation Laboratories (ERIL), where the delegation was welcomed by Dr Jean Paul Mollicone, Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Engineering.

The tour offered a first-hand look at several cutting-edge research projects, including MALTI3D, VacuUM/VENTO, SPELL3D, AirSave, IceCap, and RockSense.

The visiting delegation had the opportunity to engage directly with research teams who have either filed a European patent application or are in the process of doing so. Notably, the teams included not only academic researchers but also Research Support Officers, providing valuable exposure across different roles within the innovation pipeline.

This segment of the visit stood out as a defining moment of the programme. The demonstrations and discussions were very well received by all present, with President Campinos himself expressing particular appreciation for the opportunity to interact with researchers and witness the University’s innovation efforts up close. His positive feedback underscored the significance of the visit and the value of showcasing Malta’s research capabilities on an international stage.

“The University of Malta’s Knowledge Transfer Office is strongly committed to the valorisation of UM's research through patents, Intellectual Property licensing, and the formation of spinout companies. The recent campus visit by a delegation from the European Patent Office (EPO), led by President António Campinos, alongside Director General Godwin Warr and staff from the Commerce Department, strengthens our resolve in this mission. We look forward to deepening our collaborations with both entities to enhance our knowledge recognition ecosystem and drive innovation on a national and European scale”, said Prof. Ing. Fabri about the momentous occasion.

“The EPO is dedicated to working closely with universities across Europe, to support researchers commercialise their ideas, to make IP education a standard for all STEM students and to provide graduates their first step into a career in intellectual property.

We are proud that our co-operation with the University of Malta covers all these areas. The launch of Malta's first PATLIB in the Knowledge Transfer Centre last year has deepened our joint efforts to bring the university's innovators closer to the IP system and means Malta is now part of a network of centres across Europe”, reiterated Mr Campinos. 

Overall, the visit reaffirmed the University of Malta’s commitment to fostering a dynamic research environment and strengthening its engagement with European innovation networks.