LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman
(NYSE: NOC) recently hosted the 2014 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Innovation Challenge champions, from the Higher Colleges of
Technology's (HCT) Fujairah Colleges, in Southern California.
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The weeklong trip took the coed team, named Fujairah Dynamic, on
an extensive tour of the region's science, technology, engineering
and math (STEM) facilities. The tour is part of Northrop Grumman's
efforts to encourage STEM education across the globe.
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During their visit, the group visited Northrop Grumman
facilities in Redondo Beach,
San Diego and Palmdale, learning about the development and
production of several systems, including the Global Hawk unmanned
aircraft and the James Webb Space Telescope. They also toured the
University of California, Los Angeles
and the University of California, San
Diego, where they learned about the universities'
specialized robotics programs.
"One year ago, we were not thinking that we'd be here," said
Mariam Al Meraikhi, team leader for
Fujairah Dynamic. "It's an unexpected gift."
Al Meraikhi added that seeing Northrop Grumman's unmanned
aircraft systems in person was "amazing," and a source of
inspiration for formulating senior project ideas.
Fujairah Dynamic beat 13 other teams to win the annual
competition, which pairs Northrop Grumman engineering mentors with
students from the UAE's Higher Colleges of Technology to design,
build and fly unmanned aircraft. The program culminates in a
weeklong "challenge" where the teams are evaluated on oral
presentations and flight demonstrations related to speed, endurance
and navigational precision.
Earlier in the week, the group met with the Los Angeles-based UAE Consul General, Mr.
Abdulla Al-Saboosi. As head of the
newly established consulate, Al-Saboosi expressed his interest in
the continued partnership between HCT and Northrop Grumman.
"The UAE Innovation Challenge demonstrates the power of
partnerships between UAE and U.S. organizations," he said. "Through
this unique collaboration with Northrop Grumman, Emirati students
are able to enhance their skills and knowledge, and become better
prepared to embark on their careers."
The fifth annual UAE Innovation Challenge will kick off at the
end of this year, when mentors and students team up to start
designing aircraft. The actual competition, expected to have the
largest group of participants yet, is currently scheduled for
April 2015 in Abu Dhabi.
About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988, Higher Colleges of Technology has grown to
become the largest of the higher educational institutions in the
UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning.
With over 20,000 students at 17 campuses throughout the UAE,
programmes taught are all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and
evolving economic sectors and embody HCT's "Learning by Doing"
philosophy. For more information on HCT, please visit
www.hct.ac.ae.
About Northrop Grumman Corporation
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.