The 2014 UAE Innovation Challenge, organized by Northrop Grumman Corporation, promises to provide plenty of thrills and spills as 14 student teams from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) put their engineering and design skills to the test.
“We are very pleased to partner once again with Northrop Grumman and ADASI on the UAE Innovation Challenge. Each year of the competition has brought new and exciting challenges for our engineering, avionics and aeronautical students. This event, which gets bigger every year, is a wonderful example of HCT's philosophy of 'learning by doing,” said Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of HCT.
The line-up of teams is:
- Abu Dhabi Women's College (Fire Fly)
- Abu Dhabi Men's College (Skydive and Eagle Eye)
- Al Ain Women's College (Flight 19)
- Al Ain Men's College (Supero)
- Dubai Men's College (Aviators and Emirates Robotics)
- Fujairah Women’s/Men's College (Fujairah Dynamic)
- Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College (KBZ)
- Ras Al Khaimah Men's College (Phantom)
- Ruwais Women's College (Pathfinder)
- Ruwais Men's College (Diamond 42)
- Sharjah Women's College (Falcontrons)
- Sharjah Men's College (Falcons)
“The UAE Innovation Challenge is an example of how Northrop Grumman continues to cultivate widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This initiative embraces the spirit of partnership, with Northrop Grumman, HCT and ADASI working together and demonstrating how collaboration between student and mentor can bring about great results,” said Doug Raaberg, Chief Executive UAE, Northrop Grumman.
The teams of students have participated in four workshops conducted over six months using a Northrop Grumman syllabus taught by engineer mentors from Northrop Grumman to design, fabricate, program and fly unmanned aircraft. The students will present their designs to a panel of senior engineers from Northrop Grumman, ADASI and HCT before taking part in a flying competition. During the flying competition, scheduled for April 22-23 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, each team's aircraft will need to meet specific criteria related to speed, endurance and weight.
The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony on Thursday April 24 at the HCT-Abu Dhabi Men's College at 10 a.m. The competition's overall winning team will win an opportunity to travel to the United States where they will tour Northrop Grumman facilities, as well as educational institutions with specialties in robotics and other areas of interest.
