Professor Anatoly Aleksandrov in the flight simulator
Glyndŵr University has strengthened its ties with a giant of Russian education. A delegation from Bauman Moscow State Technical University visited Wrexham to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week, reinforcing the close links between the two institutions.
The universities work together in the fields of engineering, optics, composites and computing, with students and lecturers travelling between Russia and Wales on a regular basis.
While in the region the party – which included Bauman’s rector Professor Anatoly Aleksandrov – spent time at the OpTIC centre in St Asaph, where a team of scientists are polishing prototype mirrors for the world’s largest telescope, the ESO E-ELT, which is being built by the European Southern Observatory.
Professor Aleksandrov also took a ride in the flight simulator in the engineering complex at Glyndŵr’s Plas Coch campus in Wrexham before a tour of Techniquest and the Centre for the Creative Industries.
Stating that he was “proud” of Bauman’s burgeoning relationship with the north east Wales university, he said: “It is a pleasure to again be here at Glyndŵr University, with whom we have a good partnership.
“We are here because of a new agreement for further long-term collaboration and to build on our existing research projects, some of which are concerned with composite material and optics, and as we have postgraduate students here.”
Professor Aleksandrov revealed students from Bauman would again be attending summer school at Glyndŵr, and that they have a strong interest in research collaboration in the development of new technologies for optical fabrication.
“Together with the university and Lytkarino optical plant near Moscow we are heavily involved in the development of optics for the European-Extremely Large Telescope, which is an exciting project,” he said.
“And we are again collaborating on the international composites conference, to be held in Wrexham later this year – these are exciting times for both institutions and we are proud of this relationship.”
Professor Graham Upton, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, paid tribute to Professor Aleksandrov and his colleagues at Bauman for building on their alliance.
“Both universities work together on many projects – academically and through research – so it was a pleasure to again welcome them to Wrexham,” said Professor Upton.
“This is a hugely valuable and important relationship and one that we are honoured to be a part of as we move forward together.”
The fourth International Conference on Advanced Composite Materials and Technologies for aerospace Applications takes place at Glyndŵr University from November 2-4.
For information on the event, visit http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/acmtaa
