Generales

As of 2017 Universidad de Antioquia will offer a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering. The program, which is the only one of its kind in Colombia, aims to produce its first graduates in 2021.

UdeA’s new Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program aims to produce high quality graduates to help meet airline industry demand.

The program introduces students to a wide range of core subjects ranging from key design parameters for air and space systems, the fundamentals of aerospace materials and structures, generation and conversion of energy for spacecraft propulsion systems, to satellite systems, and control of aerospace vehicles.

“This ambitious program is designed to meet not only the needs of those interested in the field of aerospace engineering but also those of the Colombian airline industry, while reaffirming the University’s commitment to contribute to the development of both the country and the local airline industry. On the other hand, Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, is planning to open a new world-class aircraft maintenance facility in the municipality of Rionegro, east of Medellín, near UdeA’s regional campus where the program will be offered. Graduates of the Aerospace Engineering program will benefit from the opening of Avianca’s new facilities as they will be able to meet the airline’s demand for skilled labor and professionals in the field, who will be responsible for aircraft maintenance and repair,” the head of the UdeA Department of Mechanical Engineering Pedro Simanca said.

Simanca, who is also the program director, says the program not only provides students with specialized training in aerospace engineering but it also offers concentrations in areas such as applied aviation sciences, atmospheric flight and space flight.

For his part, professor Julián Arenas stressed that Colombian universities should make efforts to provide specialized training in aerospace engineering as the Latin American aerospace scene has changed dramatically.

Today, not only satellite technology has become significantly more affordable but also artifacts such as microsatellites and unmanned aerial systems (UAS 2), otherwise known as drones, among other advances, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. In addition, “NewSpace businesses” (or space-related businesses), are opening up possibilities for private sector businesses in developing countries including Colombia.

Canadian audit and consulting firm Deloitte, estimates that by 2019 the airline industry will generate about 516 billion dollars in revenues. In Colombia, the airline industry has recorded growth figures of up to 200 percent over the past 10 years, a figure that will continue to rise by 20 percent over the next five years.

A high-flying career

In addition to preparing students for successful careers in the aerospace industry, UdeA’s Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program encompasses other core areas including telecommunications, environmental engineering, essentials of oceanography, knowledge management, research, political and legal issues of aeronautics, astronautics and astronomy, among other topics. In this regard, it is worth noting that since 2009 UdeA offers an undergraduate program in astronomy, which is the only one of its type in Colombia and the Andean community.

The implementation of the program requires the construction of laboratories as well as a wind tunnel. The construction and adequacy of the facilities will require an investment of approximately COP $ 600,000,000 (about $ 200,000 USD). 

“We believe that this is the right time to start and formally launch the program,” professor Arenas said.

On the other hand, prestigious institutions such as Purdue, MIT and NASA, will provide advice and support on a wide range of issues. Also several Colombian universities and companies have shown interest in joining the program in order to facilitate the implementation of joint projects.

“When we started planning the project and after analyzing a number of issues regarding aerospace engineering in Colombia, we learned that Brazil is way ahead of Colombia on aviation issues. This is partly due to the lack of vision of Colombian policymakers on facilitating entry into the country of foreign companies interested in establishing operations in Colombia, as was the case of Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer,” Simanca said.

Simanca added that the program itself is a great opportunity. “Although similar programs are offered at universities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, UdeA’s BS degree in Aerospace Engineering is the first of its kind nationwide,” he said.