UNN, Russian Firm Partner On Aerospace Engineering Programme

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Russian aerospace engineering company, Joint Stock Company, OKB Fifth Generation (OKB5), to establish an aerospace programme involving academic and scientific exchanges between the two parties.

The agreement aims to enhance the competence of scientists at the University of Nigeria to conduct aerospace research leveraging the technological assistance from OKB5.

In the terms of the agreement, OKB5 will contribute to the partnership by providing the university with the necessary infrastructure for practical work and experiments in aerospace engineering.

The support to be provided by OKB5 would include ground-based testing of algorithms using GRID, assisting students to work on CubeSat satellite model, and helping students and specialists to work in  specially equipped laboratory setups.

Additionally, the collaboration will enhance the university’s position in negotiations with potential investors in space missions, where OKB5 will serve as the technical assistant in drafting the preliminary project, while the university can seek funding from national and international organisations.

The vice chancellor of UNN, Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, said the partnership would improve the university’s image and research standing in the global academic community, and promote the competencies of staff in the field of aerospace engineering.

“Advancing research in aerospace engineering would be of great benefit to Nigeria, we are committed to making the best out of this partnership,” Igwe said.

The MoU was signed by Igwe and the chief executive officer of OKB5, Kus Oleg Nikolayevich. The dean of Engineering at UNN, Prof Emenike Ejiogu and the chief commercial officer at OKB5, Vladimir Bodrov, signed the agreement as witnesses.