KU Affairs

Khalifa University and Dassault Aviation Sign MoU on Aeronautical Education and Research Collaboration at Dubai Air Show 2021

November 22, 2021

Partners Agree on Sponsorship of Students, Internships, and Capacity Building and Development  

 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology and global aerospace leader Dassault Aviation today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish academic cooperation in developing aeronautical education and related research in the UAE, involving industrial experience as well as advanced technologies.

 

The two partners will jointly promote and implement cooperation in areas including collaborative high-skilled research programs, student sponsorships and internships, support to academic programs as well as capacity building and development. The MoU will build on existing strengths within Khalifa University in the critical aviation, space, and defense systems sectors, covering aeronautics and astronautical engineering, as well as the Aerospace Research and  Innovation Center (ARIC) that drives innovation in these areas.

 

The MoU was signed by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Philippe Perrin, Executive Vice-President International, on behalf of Eric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dassault Aviation, at Dubai Airshow 2021.

 

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “The collaboration with France-based global aerospace leader Dassault Aviation reflects our internationalization efforts to collaborate with best partners around the world to bring great minds and expertise to the UAE and our strong commitment to developing human capital in the UAE’s strategic areas. The partnership will benefit our researchers and scientists to explore new frontiers in this industry, while helping students to augment their knowledge and understanding of this vital sector. Through this MoU, we believe we will be able to contribute to the UAE and the region with innovative technology solutions and skilled manpower, capable of handling challenges specific to aerospace and aviation.”

 

Eric Trappier stated : “Dassault Aviation, as a reliable partner of the UAE for over 45 years, is committed for more than 20 years in contributing to human capital development of the UAE through the development of local capabilities and the enhancement of knowledge, technologies and industrial know-how. Our products, from Rafale fighter as well as Mirage 2000-9 brilliantly operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence (UAE AF & AD) to Falcon family jets demonstrate our expertise in research and development in the field of Aeronautics and Systems with innovative solutions and a pragmatic and dynamic approach to cooperation. Today this new agreement illustrates our determination to share our expertise providing Khalifa University’s students with the highest education standards within the ambitious projects developed by the UAE industry for the benefit of strategic sectors of the UAE economy.”

 

Among other initiatives, Dassault Aviation intends to sponsor a cooperative research program on Smart and Advanced materials for aeronautic applications to be jointly conducted at Khalifa University. This activity, benefiting from the skills and outstanding expertise developed at the university, is seen as an important stepping-stone for the maturation of disruptive technologies and future integration on aircraft.

 

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
22 November 2021