How can we empower SMEs to build their factories in a smart, sustainable and human-centred way?

The adoption of digital services by small and medium-sized enterprises has been a challenge, and the rapid technological changes that define the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, are slow in terms of uptake.

Project SME 5.0 is developing a strategic roadmap for making SMEs digitally savvy, sustainable, resilient and human-centric. It will make the next level of SMEs data and intelligence driven.

The main outcome of the project is to develop and propose a Strategic Guideline and Roadmap that will facilitate SMEs in Europe and worldwide to achieve the above-mentioned goals.

Between 8 and 10 May 2024, a group of 30 distinguished international academics were hosted by the University of Malta’s Faculty of Engineering for the yearly meeting of the SME 5.0 Project, which took place at Valletta Campus.

The meeting was co-organised by Prof. Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza, the Head of Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, and Ms Amberlynn Bonello, RSO within the same department.

The guests had the opportunity to engage with the UM academic community, explore the state-of-the-art facilities at the Engineering Research and Innovation Lab, while immersing themselves in the rich culture and history of Malta.

More information about the project is accessible online.