Research Symposium 2026: Safe by Design: Bridging Research, Leadership, Education, and Healthcare for Equity, Quality, and Organisational Excellence
IDEA Group held its Research Symposium 2026 on Friday, 11 September 2026, at Salini Resort, Malta.
Organised by IDEA Group, together with IDEA College, IDEA Consulting and IDEA Care, the symposium brought together academics, researchers, professionals and industry stakeholders for a day of research presentations, professional discussion and knowledge exchange.
The event explored key themes across healthcare, education, leadership, organisational culture, patient safety, workforce development, labour markets, digital access, gender progression and quality improvement.
A Platform for Research and Professional Dialogue
The symposium created a space where academic research and professional practice could meet. Throughout the day, participants engaged with studies addressing current challenges across multiple sectors, while also reflecting on how research can support better decision-making, stronger organisations and improved outcomes for communities.
The programme included academic presentations, discussion sessions, a plenary and panel discussion, followed by lunch and networking.
Research Presented Across Key Sectors
A central part of the symposium was the presentation of research by IDEA College researchers and contributors. The programme featured nine studies, reflecting the diversity of research being carried out across education, healthcare, business, leadership and social sectors.
Prof. Oleksandr Dluhopolskyi opened the academic programme with Labour Markets, Inequality, and Digital Access: Explaining NEET Rates across European Countries.
Ing. Paul Bezzina presented The Patient Safety Culture and Communication Practices in a Radiotherapy Department in Malta, focusing on patient safety within a healthcare setting. His study is featured in The IDEA Journal of Applied Research, Volume 5, June 2025.
Ms Shelley Galea Spiteri explored leadership within the social sector through her study Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership within the Maltese Social Sector: A Qualitative Study. Her study is featured in The IDEA Journal of Applied Research, Volume 6, December 2025.
Ms Ruth Sant presented The Influence of eCommerce on Brand Loyalty in the Beauty Industry: A Consumer Perspective in Malta, examining digital commerce and consumer behaviour. Her study is featured in The IDEA Journal of Applied Research, Volume 7, June 2026.
Ms Graziella Santillo addressed healthcare quality and laboratory practice through Challenging the Obstacles in Pre-Analytical Settings: Exploring Frequency, Types, and Sources of Preanalytical Errors in Blood Sampling Practice. Her study is featured in The IDEA Journal of Applied Research, Volume 6, December 2025.
The second academic session continued with Ms Claudine Balzan, who presented Organisational Culture Effects on Job Satisfaction among Different Generations in a Healthcare Setting.
Ms Rebecca Gaffarena discussed gender progression in the finance sector through An Analysis of the Progression Obstacles Women Encounter in Malta’s Finance Industry. Her study is featured in The IDEA Journal of Applied Research, Volume 7, June 2026.
Ms Sandra Ebejer brought an educational governance perspective with Participatory Curriculum Governance Reforms in a Maltese State College Context: Insights.
The academic presentations concluded with Dr Luca Nguyen, who presented Future of Skills and Employment in Malta’s Health Sector. His presentation led into the panel discussion, where he also joined as a panellist.
Connecting Academia and Industry
One of the key highlights of the event was the Plenary and Panel Discussion, which brought together professionals from academia, healthcare, social care, community wellbeing, organisational management and professional services.
The panel included:
- Dr Luca Nguyen, Senior Consultant at IDEA Consulting;
- George Bonello, General Manager of Sidroc Services Ltd and former Cathlab Manager/Nursing Officer;
- Dr Karl Spiteri, Lead (Entity Management) at St Vincent de Paul; Oliver Scicluna, Chief Executive Officer of Aġenzija Sapport;
- Dr Yaser Teebi, Clinical Psychologist and Gerontologist, and Director for Community Wellbeing within Malta’s Active Ageing and Community Care Department; and
- Rachel Debono Lombardo, President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malta.
The discussion explored how research can be translated into practical application, supporting organisations and professionals in responding to evolving workforce, sectoral and societal needs.
From Research to Meaningful Impact
The range of topics presented throughout the symposium reflected the importance of multidisciplinary thinking in today’s professional landscape. From patient safety and healthcare workforce development to leadership, organisational culture, education, digital access and gender progression, the event highlighted how research can contribute to meaningful change across sectors.
The symposium also encouraged dialogue between researchers, practitioners and industry representatives, supporting the exchange of ideas beyond the formal sessions. The networking session that followed provided further opportunity for participants to continue discussions and build professional connections.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
The IDEA Group Symposium reflects IDEA Group’s continued commitment to research, education, professional development and collaboration with industry and wider professional communities.
The theme Safe by Design underlined the importance of embedding equity, quality, safety and organisational excellence into professional practice, leadership, education and organisational development.
IDEA Group extends its appreciation to all presenters, panellists, researchers, academics, industry stakeholders and participants who contributed to the success of the event and to the valuable exchange of ideas throughout the day.
The Symposium was a very positive and meaningful experience. It provided a valuable opportunity to network with other professionals, share my own knowledge and research, and learn about the work and studies being carried out by others in the field. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives, as it created a space for meaningful professional learning and discussion.
Being able to present my own research and engage with the audience was also a memorable part of the experience. Overall, the Symposium was a great opportunity for professional development, knowledge sharing and connecting with others who share an interest in the field.
Shelley Galea Spiteri
Published - IDEA Journal, Volume 6, Dec 2025
I was honoured to be part of this symposium and to have the opportunity to present my thesis alongside other presenters who shared their academic research and valuable insights.
The panel discussion was particularly interesting, offering innovative perspectives on the best ways to deliver high-quality patient care, as well as the criteria and considerations involved in selecting the right people to work within different working sectors. These discussions were especially relevant to me, as I have gained valuable experience through my involvement as part of the management team in my workplace.
The event was very well organised and flowed smoothly throughout the day. I particularly enjoyed the breaks, which provided an excellent opportunity to connect with different lecturers and professionals working within the IDEA Group. Sharing ideas, experiences and perspectives with people from different backgrounds was both inspiring and educational.
Everyone was very friendly, welcoming, and approachable, which created a positive and engaging atmosphere throughout the event. I learned a great deal from this experience, both academically and professionally, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate.
Overall, it was a valuable and enriching experience, and I feel truly honoured to have been part of such an inspiring symposium.
Graziella Santillo
Published - IDEA Journal, Volume 6, Dec 2025
I truly enjoyed the symposium and I was very interested and impressed by most of the studies that were presented. I truly appreciated the different perspectives of the people who are already in the industry who are bridging the research into their practice. One suggestion would be to have a balance between men and women on the panel and to also have more representation of the patient’s voice as ultimately they are the service users. Looking forward to another symposium!
Rachel Debono Lombard
President, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malta
I really enjoyed the variety of perspectives at the symposium, with presenters bringing different views and experiences from their respective fields. The panel discussion was also interesting, bringing together different points of view, while presenting our research gave me the opportunity to share some interesting findings emerging from the primary research carried out.
Dr Luca Nguyen
Senior Consultant, IDEA Consulting
First, I would like to thank IDEA College for the opportunity to present my study at this symposium. It was a truly valuable and rewarding experience. The event highlighted the importance of sharing research rather than allowing it to remain on a shelf. Research becomes most meaningful when it is communicated, discussed, and used to support learning, policy development, and organisational improvement. The symposium also provided an excellent opportunity to exchange perspectives, engage in meaningful discussions, and learn from the work of others. Throughout my studies, I have felt welcomed, supported, and motivated to achieve my goals. IDEA College genuinely invests in its students, making them feel valued and encouraging them to contribute to the wider academic community. This symposium clearly demonstrated that commitment by providing students with a platform to showcase their work and share their knowledge.
Thank you to IDEA College and everyone involved in organising such a memorable and inspiring event.
Claudine Balzan
Senior Staff Nurse, NBTS
Highlights from the Symposium