Nottingham University hosts international aerospace conference

Professor Ian Ashcroft from the University of Nottingham, UK presenting at the conference

World-leading experts from all three campuses of the University of Nottingham in aerospace technologies, aerospace materials and manufacturing processes gathered at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) to showcase their world-changing research and to discuss how they can work together with the aerospace industries in Malaysia.

The specialists gathered at The Malaysian Aerospace Mission 2013 which took place at UNMC from 18 to 22 March 2013. The Malaysian aerospace mission included technical discussions with important industry players from Malaysia, including BAE Systems, Spirit Aerosystems, Strand Aerospace Malaysia, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC), Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), UPECA Aerotech and the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office.  The event also includes site and factory visits to Spirit Aerosystems, Strand, CTRM and Rolls-Royce Advanced Technology Centre in Singapore.

The objective of the event was to foster collaboration between the University of Nottingham and the rapidly developing aerospace industry in Malaysia.  Through this event, Nottingham research has been showcased to the industries and the relationship has progressed on both sides.  The event was well-received and both groups are actively exploring opportunities to work together in the future.

At the conference, Professor Andrew Chan, Director of Research in Engineering at UNMC, said: “Through this very successful mission, we have been able to demonstrate our research capability to the aerospace industry in Malaysia. It has also enabled us to develop the relationship with partners in businesses and government.  

We are now actively exploring various opportunities for collaboration with Malaysian businesses, involving the University of Nottingham academics both in Malaysia and in the UK.”

One of the businesses visited during the mission to Malaysia was BAE Systems, and Mike Perrett, Senior Industrial Programmes Manager from the company said, “To maintain a leading position in the changing global environment we need to ensure that government, academia and industry work even more collaboratively than before.” 

Among the speakers at the conference are Professor Choy Kwang-Leong, Head of Delegation from the University of Nottingham, UK, Professor Graham Kendall, Vice Provost (Research and Knowledge Transfer), UNMC and Professor Andrew Chan.

For further information, please contact Professor Andrew Chan at andy.chan@nottingham.edu.my at +(6) 03 8924 8144 or visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/aerospace.