The agreement was signed at last week’s Paris Air Show by the Dean of Engineering, who was accompanied by Airbus Ambassadors Professor Ian Lane and Dr Carren Holden. The partnership strengthens the strong working relationship that has been developed over many years.
Airbus has research collaborations with over 25 University of Bristol academic staff across four departments and representatives from the company sit on a number of steering groups for University run research and technology programmes that are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Advisory boards within the University covering areas such as: relationships with the engineering industry, aeronautical engineering education and research, and composite innovation and science are actively supported by Airbus. Company employees also give lectures to illustrate the relevance of student learning within the aerospace industry.
The Faculty of Engineering Industrial Liaison Office works closely with Airbus to develop targeted outreach and scholarship programmes, as well as providing regular student visits to the Airbus Filton site and opportunities for students to present to industry experts.
Airbus is also actively engaged with the Deans of the Faculties of Engineering and Social Sciences and Law to encourage women into engineering roles as part of their outreach programme.
Professor Andrew Nix, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said: “This agreement further cements the University's long-standing and productive relationship with Airbus. I'm particularly pleased that this agreement focuses on engaging our students with a world-class player in the aerospace industry.
“This is an industry that has long been a major employer of our students and a key partner in our research.”
Ian Lane, Airbus Senior Technical Expert and Ambassador to the University of Bristol, added: “Partnerships are a vital element of the modern industrial world. Airbus has a great history of successful collaboration with the University of Bristol and the partnership agreement can only enhance the way we work together for mutual benefit.
“Traditional research collaborations are by necessity focused on specific technical challenges whereas the partnership agreement really allows us to be inventive in the ways we can work together on developing not just the technology of the future but the innovative engineers we need to deliver that future!”
The University of Bristol was one of seven strategic partners that signed partnership agreements. The other six partners are: University Carlos III in Madrid, University of Seville, Technical University of Madrid, Paris Institute Mines-Telecom, Delft University of Technology and Technical University of Milan.
The agreements aim to foster long-term collaboration in all areas of mutual interest such as the development of strategic competences, both technical and soft skills, eg: complex systems, architecture and integration; networks and content security; supplier assessment and development; manufacturing and engineering; programme and project management; quality and improvement, the development of common educational programmes, designing student competitions and support to encourage diversity.
Thierry Baril, Chief Human Resources Officer of Airbus Group, said: “These partnership agreements underline our commitment to work hand-in-hand with academics and engineering education leaders to develop and secure the competences that the aerospace industry will need in the future.
“Developing a future talent pipeline is vital to our success. We are proud to partner with such prestigious universities to pursue this objective.”