08 July 2021
The first course of the Aerotech Academy, an advanced training engineering school promoted by Leonardo and the University of Naples “Federico II”, has concluded with the awarding of diplomas to 30 students. Based at Leonardo’s Aerotech Campus in Pomigliano d’Arco (Naples), a centre of excellence and part of the Leonardo Labs (business technology incubators for long-term research), the Academy aims to stimulate synergies between the university world, enterprises and territories to enhance engineering skills and their application in industrial sectors with high technological capabilities.
During the ceremony, attended by Matteo Lorito, Rector of the University of Naples “Federico II”, Luigi Carrino, President of the Aerospace District of Campania, the Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo, and the Managing Director of the Aerostructures Division, Giancarlo Schisano, it was emphasized how the first Aerotech Academy course (March 2020-February 2021) offered students, who were selected through an international call and subsequent interviews in English with an examining commission composed of university professors and representatives of Leonardo, an innovative interdisciplinary teaching, capable of combining advanced research topics with applications of interest to the manufacturing industry.
The 2020 programme was organised into three strands: core technologies of aerostructures, industry 4.0 and digitalization, and challenges for new generation aircraft, each of which was further articulated in specific insights.
“The partnership with Leonardo’s Aerotech Academy – said the Rector of the University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Matteo Lorito – is a true best practice. Federico II will work in conjunction with Leonardo to bring its training, innovation and skills to future employees. It is our belief that if training does not continue in post-graduation, the mission of the university is not complete. This kind of partnership can become the norm, helping not just the local economy, but that of the entire country, with the participation of professors on numerous and varied themes, highlighting what universities can do for higher education.”
“The Aerotech Academy – said the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo – brings the University into the company and creates the synergy essential to developing the skills necessary for industry 4.0. Higher education centre in frontier engineering, the Academy is also a concrete example of the need to promote STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among younger generations as an indicator of growth, competitiveness and innovation, with significant benefits for territories.”
The 2021-2022 academic year began on June 15 and focuses on key skills in the technological frontiers of aerostructures, ranging from advanced materials to additive manufacturing, and provides for an in-depth study on industry 4.0 dedicated to digital manufacturing (the Digital Twin – the virtual twin of a product or a complex system – collaborative robots and the Internet of Things in the aerospace sector). It also focuses on sustainable challenges, such as new hybrid and electric-powered aircraft, uncrewed systems and technologies to reduce vibrations and noise emissions from airplanes and helicopters – all crucial issues for the development of future Urban Mobility systems.