News & Media
Crossing borders to empower women in aviation
In the dynamic landscape of aviation, gender equality remains a crucial frontier to conquer. Building upon the triumphs of the inaugural cohort of Drone Divas, Inhlanyelo Hub took a bold step towards further empowerment. Their recent expedition to the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Umass Lowell) unveiled promising prospects for advanced drone training and technology implementation. Led by a vision to bridge borders and foster collaboration, this endeavour marks a pivotal moment in the journey to elevate women in aviation.
Dr Tapiwa Muzata, Project Manager (Inhlanyelo Hub), Nomsa Nkabinde, Executive Assistant (Inhlanyelo Hub), Prof Raphael Tabani Mpofu (Founding CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub) and Prof Annemarie Davis (Project Leader).
Expanding horizons
Dr Adam Norton, Assistant Director of the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center
Following the success of the first cohort of Drone Divas, a delegation from Inhlanyelo Hub recently explored opportunities for advanced drone training and drone technology implementation. While visiting the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Umass Lowell) in the United States, the Inhlanyelo Hub delegation met with Dr Adam Norton, Assistant Director of the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center.
Norton showcased several drones utilised for testing at their facility, most of which are employed in military applications. He also presented some of their simulated training techniques to assess drone operator flying and operation abilities.
Forging partnerships
The convergence of interests between Inhlanyelo Hub and Umass Lowell sparked discussions on collaboration in training initiatives. While UMass Lowell focuses on testing, the Inhlanyelo Hub is dedicated to training and fostering opportunities for emerging firms in the aviation industry that utilise unmanned aerial vehicles. Prof Annemarie Davis, Project Leader for the Inhlanyelo Hub Drone Divas Programme, discussed ways to collaborate with Umass Lowell to exchange best practices for indoor flight tests where advanced drone flying skills can be performed without the use of a simulator. The prospect of a drone academy that goes beyond the current Drone Divas programme is truly exciting.
In addition, Dr Rauiri O'Mahony, Executive Director of the RIST Institute for Sustainability and Energy at UMassLowell, explained how drones could be used to examine infrastructure layout and safety, among a myriad of other environmental checks and sustainable solutions. Internships will be prioritised for the first cohort of Inhlanyelo Hub drone pilots to gain practical experience using drones in climate studies and sustainable energy solutions.
Dr Rauiri O'Mahony, Executive Director of the RIST Institute for Sustainability and Energy at UmassLowell
Prof Raphael Tabani Mpofu, the founding CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub, expressed his enthusiasm for such collaborations and emphasised the need to work together, especially internationally, to empower women in aviation.
Drones for testing in the NERVE Center
For more information on Inhlanyelo Hub and its offerings, visit https://inhlanyelohub.com/en/
* Submitted by Inhlanyelo Hub
Publish date: 2024-05-09 00:00:00.0
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