EADS to partner Two Main Singapore Universities in R&D

EADS is entering into long-term R&D partnerships with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) through the signing of a Contract Research Framework Agreement (CRFA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) respectively.

The NUS CRFA will facilitate the setting up of joint research collaborations between the University and EADS. One of these collaborations is the newly launched “Flow Control Project”, jointly set up by NUS and Airbus, one of EADS’s global companies. The present project is focused on the fundamental study of flow control technologies for reducing drag around streamlined bodies. A successful outcome and application of these studies would in turn reduce the fuel consumption of aircraft, resulting in savings for airline companies and their customers. Heading the research team from NUS is Professor Chew Yong Tian, a fluid mechanics expert from the NUS Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The NTU MoU signifies the intention of both EADS and NTU to collaborate on aerospace topics. One research project was recently launched in January 2008 with the NTU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). In this project, a helicopter airspeed sensor is being developed for Eurocopter, another EADS global company, which will improve its operations and enable it to operate accurately especially during the crucial phases of hover, take-off and landing. This is an important contribution to helicopter operational safety.

At both universities, EADS also awarded funding for students in the form of EADS Singapore TechMasters scholarships for top NTU MAE undergraduates and overseas internship sponsorships for NUS undergraduates.

The EADS Singapore TechMasters programme awards a Scholarship of $5000 for each of the six exceptional aerospace engineering students for the final year of their studies. The first batch of awardees have been selected and have had their scholarships presented.

As part of the NUS-EADS Internship Programme, selected undergraduates from NUS will get the opportunity to intern with one of the EADS research centres in Europe. The internship is for a period of three months, before or after the undergraduate’s academic exchange at one of the University’s partner universities in Europe. The return airfare and accommodation will be fully sponsored by EADS. The interns will receive allowances for the entire duration of their internship with the EADS research centre.

The NUS-EADS Internship Programme adds a new dimension to NUS’s Aeronautical Engineering Specialisation programme. Established since 1989, the Aeronautical Engineering Specialisation programme has produced many graduates with a good understanding of aeronautical engineering, and has developed a strong mechanical engineering foundation to meet the aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul needs of the aircraft industries over the years.

Dr. Ulrich Schnaut, Chief Operating Officer of the EADS Singapore Research & Technology Centre (SRTC) said, “I am very pleased that we are strengthening and deepening our R&D relationship with NTU and NUS because EADS SRTC has already been working closely with them since its inauguration in Feb 2006. As EADS's first research centre outside of Europe, it is critical for EADS SRTC to forge partnerships with top universities in Asia like NTU and NUS. They both possess excellent capabilities that could be leveraged for the diverse needs of our business units and the signing of the agreements today would help speed up our internal processes for starting projects.”

Professor Bertil Andersson, Provost, NTU, said, “NTU is very happy to collaborate with world leading aerospace companies such as EADS to support Singapore’s global competitiveness in the aerospace industry in the areas of research and training including joint supervision of PhD training.

“Since NTU launched the programme in year 2006, it has been attracting top students that are needed for the high-end design, manufacturing and managerial positions. When they graduate, these engineers will be well-trained in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering, and will possess an in-depth and integrated system view of the field as well as being well-rounded and well-educated people. This agreement between NTU and EADS fits into our strategy of engaging in research and training collaboration with major industrial and commercial corporations and which will contribute to the ongoing successful development of the Singapore economy.”

Professor Barry Halliwell, Deputy President for Research and Technology of NUS said, “NUS is privileged and excited to partner EADS. It is a boost to our ongoing efforts to further build up aerospace-related research, drawing upon our excellent research expertise and world class facilities such as the supersonic wind tunnels available on our campus.”

“Research activities are strategic and robust and a ‘no walls’ collaborative culture forms the bedrock of NUS’s research-intensive vibrancy. NUS endeavours to work with industry partners like EADS to help bring scientific breakthroughs to market. We consider this agreement between NUS and EADS as a landmark collaboration that would have a positive impact on the future of the aerospace industry in Singapore and the world.”

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