Student unmanned aerial systems competition launched

The competition, in partnership with Mubadala Aerospace and Engineering Services, will encourage STEM students to put their ideas into real-time projects.

ABU DHABI // A year-long student competition to develop unmanned aerial systems was announced on Sunday.

University teams around the country will be assessed by an industry panel, with the winning teams being guided through the prototype process by engineers Lockheed Martin.

The competition, in partnership with Mubadala Aerospace and Engineering Services, will encourage students within the STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] fields to put their ideas into real-time projects.

Robert Harward, chief executive of Lockheed Martin UAE, said: “It is important that industry leaders provide the next generation with opportunities to learn about unmanned systems and to develop their skills in this important technology.”

Fatima Al Marzouqi, head of education and training at Mubadala Aerospace and Engineering Services, said: “As the region looks to new ideas to support a post-hydrocarbon-based economy, it becomes essential that our youth are better-equipped for and contributing to the new STEM-fuelled and knowledge-based economy.”