Partnership to Cover Exchange of Researchers and Students, Industrial Internships, and Support for Student-Oriented Activities, including Senior Design Projects
Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a ‘CATIC-KU Joint Lab’ and facilitate talent exchange of researchers and students.
The MoU was signed by, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Wang Donghua, Managing Director of Sales Division, CATIC, in the presence of Quan Xin, Senior Project Manager, Fiona, Senior Project Manager, and Zhang Jinyu, Representative, CATIC Gulf Office. The MoU will also assess the viability and feasibility of jointly addressing opportunities in areas related to aerospace technology, as well as support related educational programs.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi: “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with CATIC and ensure that Khalifa University’s academic activities focusing on aerospace programs receive a major impetus to achieve further innovation. The exchange of expertise and sharing of knowledge between both partners will definitely lead to extraordinary outcomes that will benefit the aviation and aerospace sectors. We also believe this collaboration will prove immensely beneficial to students who will acquire special skills in niche areas.”
Wang Donghua said: “CATIC is a Chinese state-owned company that is devoted to building itself as a business destination to share Chinese aviation products and technology with the world as well as bringing peace to the world through its own efforts. This chance to cooperate with Khalifa University will be a good opportunity to achieve something special between the two country’s aviation and aerospace research and educational area. As a strategic cooperation partner of UAE, CATIC feels excited about this collaboration.”
The CATIC-KU Joint Lab will donate lab equipment to support student and faculty research in aerospace-related projects, as well as jointly sponsor international student competitions in areas connected with aerospace. It will also support student-oriented project activities, including Senior Design Projects (SDPs).
In addition, the joint lab will enable an industrial internship and exchange program at the CATIC facility in China for Khalifa University’s undergraduate and postgraduate students. Similarly, faculty and researchers from Khalifa University will have access to the CATIC facility to conduct joint research.
Moreover, a number of emerging technical challenges in aerospace sectors will also be addressed jointly through the CATIC-KU Working Group, which will comprise faculty and researchers from Khalifa University and researchers from CATIC. Current areas of research interest include AI-based air vehicle systems, advanced aero-structures and materials, and innovative sensing and detection.
