IT Carlow Joins Global Partnership of Aviation Third-Level Providers
IT Carlow has joined forces with ten other third-level aviation programmes around the world to create a powerful partnership of like-minded aviation institutions and universities.
Air Transport and Aeronautics Education and Research Association (ATAERA) was officially launched today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by all eleven institutions. IT Carlow is the only Irish member of the collective; partners include: Zurich University of Applied Sciences; Vives University College in Belgium; Instituto Superior Tecnico in Lisbon, Perdue University in the United States and the UK’s Coventry University.
The members will work closely together in the areas of education, research and partnerships within the aviation industry. ATAERA will allow the exchange of knowledge and provide the industry with highly-trained professionals. The international network will see faculty members and students able to combine their various strengths to create joint educational programs as well as develop and run joint research activities. Exchange programs between the participating programmes will provide extra training for both staff members and students. The institutions will also work together to bring in international funds for research and to develop partnerships with the aviation industry – including aircraft manufacturers, airports, airlines, air navigation organisations and aircraft maintenance companies.
Commenting on the initiative Brian McQuaid, head of the School of Engineering at IT Carlow said, “In Ireland, IT Carlow leads the way in aerospace education and it makes sense, through ATAERA, to now bring an international dimension to our offering through collaboration with other like-minded, third-level institutions and universities around the world”.
IT Carlow’s €5.5million aerospace facility – the Centre for Aerospace Engineering – was opened earlier this year. Comprising an avionics workshop and a fleet of aircraft inside its own hangar, it positioned IT Carlow as the leading aerospace education facility in the country. IT Carlow was awarded the Aviation Academic Education Award at the prestigious Irish Aviation Industry Awards in May of this year. Graduates are enjoying careers with prestigious organisations such as the European Space Agency, Aer Lingus, British Airways, the UK’s Ministry of Defence and DLR (German Space Agency).
