GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTRE TO EXPAND OPERATIONS INTO ASIA

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

SINGAPORE, May 17 (Bernama) -- The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) will collaborate to undertake joint research in satellite and guided navigation, remote sensing and signal processing, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Impressed by NTU's strengths in aeronautical engineering and space science, DLR, Germany's national research centre for aeronautics and space, chose to partner the university as part of its international strategy to expand operations into Asia.

An agreement was signed Monday at DLR's Galileo Control Centre in
Oberpfaffenhofen, Wessling, Germany, to facilitate the collaboration.

"Aeronautics and space have made substantial contributions to the way we live today.

"Aviation guarantees our global mobility while satellites enable global communication, navigation and earth observation," said Professor Freddy Boey, NTU Provost-Designate in a statement today.

DLR Executive Board Member Professor Rolf Henke said NTU would contribute to research and development competencies and engineering expertise to assist in the joint research, development and design of advanced aeronautical and satellite systems and sub-systems.

"As part of DLR's international strategy, we want to be aware of upcoming trends in this dynamic field and to be present in Asia.

In a study on potential locations for future DLR activities in Asia, Singapore emerged the most promising and NTU seems to be the best match to DLR's research and development focus on aeronautics, space, transportation and energy.

By cooperating with NTU, Henke said:"We hope to work together to advance aeronautical and space science."