A large aircraft fuselage recently installed in Hangar 1 of the São Carlos School of Engineering at the University of São Paulo (EESC-USP) arouses the curiosity of passers-by. It is the front part of an Embraer E2 190, donated by the Brazilian aerospace company for teaching and professional training purposes. The large fuselage will serve as a classroom, having been transformed into a multi-use and multi-purpose space.
The donation was the result of a solid and long-standing partnership between EESC and EMBRAER. The negotiations involved discussions on academic needs and the company's interest in collaborating with educational institutions to enhance academic activities and train highly qualified professionals in the aeronautical sector.
“The fuselage will be used for a variety of educational purposes. For example, it will be used to conduct experiments and practical demonstrations related to structural mechanics, instrumentation and testing, certification, and many other possibilities, offering students and teachers an experience that is very close to the real challenges of an aircraft. This enriches learning and brings academia closer to the challenges of the industry, providing a more complete education that is aligned with market demands,” says Glauco Caurin, professor and head of the Aeronautical Engineering Department at EESC.
The professor emphasizes that Embraer's donation will also be put to good use in cutting-edge research projects, such as the implementation of new technologies. Among the research projects made possible by the aeronautical part, Caurin highlights one that is being carried out in partnership with the Aeronautical Technological Institute (ITA), financed by FAPESP and EMBRAER itself.
“The scenario will be used to analyze the feasibility of implementing new technologies in the assembly of the aircraft interior, including collaborative robots working side by side with human operators, the use of computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI), among other devices that allow evolution in this sector”, explains Caurin.
For the EESC professor, “this combination of practical learning and the development of new technologies not only enhances students’ technical training, but also prepares them for a highly competitive market. Exposure to research projects, in turn, strengthens the connection between theory and practice and ensures that future professionals are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and experience with emerging technologies. And, with this entire environment, it is still possible, through the offering of extension and refresher courses derived from these projects, to allow the transfer of these new technologies to the community, which reinforces the connection between academia and industry.”
Because it is a large and versatile piece, Caurin says that it should soon encourage students to propose new ideas and define activities to be carried out with the equipment, promoting greater interaction between theory and practice, in addition to encouraging the emergence of innovative projects.
“This collaborative environment will provide an even more enriching learning experience, placing students at the center of research and development initiatives. It is the result of a strong partnership between the university and EMBRAER, a global leader in the aeronautical sector, which reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence in teaching and research,” concludes the EESC professor.