ATAERA network

Eleven aviation programmes in Europe and across the globe are now working closely together in the areas of education, research and partnerships with the aviation industry. This collaboration has created a powerful network of like-minded Aviation universities, which form major partners in the field of aeronautics and air transport. The new network is called the Air Transport and Aeronautics Education and Research Association (ATAERA). ATAERA officially started with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by all eleven institutions.

Today’s aviation industry is internationally oriented and organized, making it impossible for an individual Aviation institution to cover all aeronautical and air transport developments. Joining forces with similar institutions is therefore necessary to a) create and maintain full knowledge partnerships for the aviation industry and b) to provide the industry with well-trained young professionals. This new network has done just that, with a unique program that places intense focus on an aeronautics and air transport-centred curricula.

The Memorandum of Understanding has joined participating universities from Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia, the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands. This international network brings an opportunity for professors and lecturers to increase – and then share – their own international experience. This in turn will help prepare students for international career, giving them experience and training that they can bring with them into a global working environment.

Every participating university brings its own areas of expertise to the table, creating new opportunities for international cooperation. Faculty members and students will now be able to combine their various strengths to create joint educational programs with a focus on innovative applications, 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 organizations and aircraft maintenance companies.

The new network is also open to other aviation universities. And instead of the usual Master’s Degree restrictions, this new partnership opens up cooperation to those from a Bachelor’s Degree level and up. The focus of applied research will focus on issues with concrete solutions that can be quickly introduced into the workplace.