Phase 1 of TEMARA initiated on 1 June 2015 (Month 1) and was concluded on 31 May 2016 (Month 12). As explained in the TEMARA Work Plan, tasks were grouped in 5 work packages, containing detailed description of tasks with a clear definition of different partners’ contributions and identification of associated milestones and deliverables:
Work Package 1: Project Management
MoT was responsible for the management of the project in order to ensure that the different tasks were performed according to the project plan. Specific activities included:
- Preparing and holding a kick-off meeting with Teaming partners
- 6 Progress Meetings
- Completing 6 Progress Reports
Work Package 2: Long-Term Science and Innovation Strategy for the NAC
This WP was initiated in July 2015 (M2) and ended in November 2015 (M6), through which a document detailing the long-term Science and Innovation strategy of the NAC was presented.( D2.5 “Science and Innovation Strategy for NAC”).
In this respect MoT performed a market overview and strategic planning report. For the market overview and strategic planning, MCST performed an analysis on the local civil aviation and aerospace industry market trends and policy. The consortium held meetings with the Marketing Advisory Services (MAS), to develop a market overview report.
MCST was actively involved with MoT in conducting 22 one-to-one interviews with 17 local potential NAC stakeholders and helped compile feedback for needs, models of cooperation and proposals for R&I areas. Further feedback was gathered through a workshop with the participation of potential stakeholders.
MCST and NLR provided advise related to NAC`s role within Malta`s smart specialisation strategy, and feedback to the mentioned submitted documents. Within this work package, MCST was the prime contributor to a benchmarking exercise of NAC’s areas of activity. The exercise benchmarked NAC’s expected operations against other state-of-the-art centres (deliverable D.2.2 “Benchmarking Report”).
In addition, MCST performed an analysis of the international policy in civil aviation and aerospace together with a review of international trends and projects in aviation/aerospace R&I. This research was instrumental for the development of the Science and Innovation strategy.
Work Package 3: Preparation for a new Business Plan
This work package identified the factors which would influence the development of a business plan for NAC. As part of the preparatory phase for the development of the NAC business plan, the consortium held meetings to discuss the types and areas of research and innovation to be addressed within the business plan, external parties/groups which would be targeted, and NAC’s key performance indicators. Eventually a workshop was organised to summarise to consolidate all this work.
Following the Workshop of WP 2, MCST drafted an updated SWOT analysis of the industry from a technical perspective. MCST also participated in a risk management session held by the consortium which served as a basis for risk management activities. The updated SWOT analysis was incorporated in deliverable D.3.2 “SWOT Analysis and Risk Assessment Report” which also detailed the foreseen operational risks.
In addition, a study was also carried out on the development of sustainability strategy for the NAC and deliverable D3.3 “Sustainability Analysis Strategy” was submitted. This deliverable included a list of suggestions that NAC needed to address in order to ensure sustainability. These suggestions were addressed throughout the duration of TEMARA phase 1.
Work Package4: Development of a Business Plan for the NAC
Activities within this work package included:
The identification of the services to be offered by NAC. As a result, deliverable D4.1 “List of services offered by NAC” was developed and submitted. All project partners contributed towards the development of this deliverable, in particular MCST participated in meetings organised by MOT to identify future NAC services. The consortium based its considerations on previous workshops and meetings held with all its stakeholders and partners.
The identification of the NAC facilities and plans for use of existing ones, deliverable D4.2 “Plans of facilities for NAC operations” was developed and submitted. This was prepared by the consortium with input from all three partners, NLR, MoT and MCST.
The plan for recruitment of adequate human resources, were MoT considered the strategic goals and operational plans for the NAC, which led to the development of deliverable D4.3 “HR Plan of NAC”.
The development of the NAC Policy and Legal Framework, were the consortium sought external assistance for the preparation of Deliverable D4.4 “Policy and Legal Framework and Structure for NAC”, outlining the policy and legal framework that the NAC needs to abide by.
The development of the plan for the quality management structures, policies and procedures for the NAC. For this task, support from NLR and local industry was obtained and eventually deliverable D4.5 “Quality Management Structures and Systems within NAC” was developed.
The compilation of the financial projections for the NAC, were MoT was supported by specialised financial experts. In this regards, deliverable D4.6 “Financial Model Data-book of NAC” was developed and submitted.
The development of the NAC code of ethics, which was developed by MOT based on the principles of public trust, serving the public and the business community, integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and professional behaviour. Deliverable 4.7 “Ethics policy and Code of Conduct” was developed and submitted to the Commission.
As a culmination of the activities within this work package, a Business Plan for NAC was developed and presented to the EC as Deliverable 4.8. The business plan provides a detailed overview of how the NAC intends to achieve its vision for the next seven years, between the end of2016 until the end of 2022. NLR and MCST provided feedback on the document content of the Business Plan.
Work Package 5: Dissemination and Exploitation
The aim of this work package was to ensure that the project’s concept, actions and results were widely disseminated to target groups and individuals at both local and European level. To disseminate the project’s results the consortium developed and submitted a Dissemination Plan (deliverable D5.1).
PR activities were organised and the TEMARA website was created. A deliverable, D5.2 was submitted accordingly. The TEMARA and NAC websites were developed and maintained, respective addresses being:
http://temara.eu/(si apre in una nuova finestra) and
http://nac.org.mt/(si apre in una nuova finestra). Reference to the NAC and its activities was consistently made by the Minister responsible for aviation during all relevant PR activities related to the local aviation industry.
Furthermore, a national conference was organised on 12th May 2016 to promote the project’s results, in which all three partners, MoT, MCST and NLR, participated. During the conference a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MoT/NAC and NLR. Legal preparatory work was conducted towards a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and the MoU. The conference provided a platform to present the main achievements of the project, promote the NAC and outline the roadmap for Phase 2, together with the gathering of feedback from all stakeholders present. In addition, the conference was broadcasted by the main local media through TV and radio channel news.
In addition to the work carried out throughout the 5 WP, NLR participated in several meetings held in Malta and through remote sessions by way of teleconferences & web meetings. On the other hand, MOT and NAC personnel travelled to NLR’s facilities in Holland on a number of occasions visiting NLR’s facilities and dedicated laboratories. While in Malta, NLR also attended meetings with important stakeholders, establishing important key relationships with
stakeholders that will eventually lead to joint R&I projects in the future during TEMARA phase 2 and beyond.
The foregoing work performed during TEMARA phase one formed an integral part of the work presented in the proposal for TEMARA Phase 2 under the H2020 WIDESPREAD 2016 call.
