Asia Aerospace City brings together University research with the Aerospace Malaysian Innovation Centre (AMIC) and MARA Aerospace & Technologies (M-AeroTech), a Malaysian government agency.

 Kuala Lumpur-based Asia Aerospace City was officially launched at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions and air displays. The University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AMIC and MARA.

The partners will collaborate on research and technology, specifically on virtual reality, tooling supply chain development, repair and composite manufacturing. The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus will be contributing to this important AMIC initiative through research and development in the focal areas of composite manufacturing, tooling and manufacturing automation.

Professor Andrew Chan is the academic lead on the project from The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC).

 Professor Chan, Associate Dean, Engineering, said: “This is a major milestone in the research profile of UNMC and a true recognition of our research capabilities in aerospace engineering. We are truly honoured to be entrusted with this opportunity by the Malaysian Government and we shall be doing our best in our contribution towards the aerospace industry developments in Malaysia.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was witnessed by Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Internationalisation, The University Nottingham; Shamsul Kamar Abu Samah, CEO of AMIC & Zulfikri Osman, Executive Director of M-AeroTech; Jean Botti, CTO of Airbus Group & Co-Chairman of AMIC; Richard Parker, Director of Research & Technology of Rolls Royce and Director of AMIC; Salmah Hayati, Deputy Director General of MARA & Chairman of M-AeroTech and Tan Sri Amir Sham, Chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

Asia Aerospace City’s Executive Director, En. Zulfikri Osman, said: “Asia Aerospace City is a complete business ecosystem, a synergy of human capital capabilities, excellent engineering services supported by a strong innovation culture. It transcends the current aerospace value chain proposition of various infrastructure models around Asia, towards a knowledge-based, highly trained services capability business, which serves as the nucleus for the future developments in aerospace industry globally.

 “That is why our investment focuses on people too, not just technology and infrastructure, in positioning AAC as ‘the’ aerospace hub in Asia.” AMIC is funded by the Malaysian Government, Airbus, Rolls Royce and Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM).