an exciting event designed to connect KFUPM students with the world of student competitions. You’ll have the chance to explore projects, watch videos, view posters, and hear firsthand experiences from past participants.

This is an interactive and inspiring opportunity to learn about the university’s achievements in global and national competitions. Whether you're looking to get involved or simply learn more, SHAIK offers valuable insights and a chance to engage with passionate student teams.

Aerospace Research Day features an impressive array of presentations by faculty, researchers, postdocs, and graduate students, showcasing their groundbreaking work in aerospace engineering. The speakers addressed various topics, including advanced propulsion systems, aerodynamics, space systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and autonomous flight technologies. This event provided an invaluable platform for researchers to disseminate their findings, engage in discussions regarding challenges in the field, and receive constructive feedback from their peers. The presentations sparked meaningful discussions and opened avenues for potential collaborations among attendees. Overall, the event effectively facilitated knowledge exchange and underscored the department’s commitment to pioneering research in aerospace science and technology.

Event Objectives 

1. Showcase Cutting-Edge Research: Highlight the latest advancements in aerospace engineering through presentations by faculty, postdocs, and graduate students.

2. Foster Collaboration: Encourage discussions, feedback, and potential interdisciplinary research partnerships.

3. Support Early-Career Researchers: Provide graduate students and postdocs with a platform to present their work and refine their communication skills.

4. Promote Knowledge Exchange:  Facilitate sharing innovative ideas, methodologies, and challenges in aerospace science and technology.

5. Strengthen Research Culture: Reinforce a collaborative and dynamic research environment within the department.

We are excited to share that our Director, Dr Ayman Abdallah, participated as a speaker in the Saudi Aerospace Connect Forum. He joined the panel discussion on "Unlocking Human Capital Potential in Aerospace", exploring strategies to educate, train, and retain essential talent in the sector.

The forum also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing its aerospace and defense sectors, fostering innovation, and strengthening strategic partnerships for future growth.

It was a privilege to contribute to these important discussions shaping the future of aerospace exploration.

On February 17, 2025, the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Aviation and Space Exploration (IRCASE) hosted an enriching seminar on Lifting-Wing Multicopter Control, presented by Prof. Quan Quan from Beihang University, China. The seminar focused on advanced control techniques for lifting-wing multicopters and provided valuable insights into UAVs and autonomous flight systems.

Prof. Quan, a pioneer in multicopter control and author of the CX program's UAV textbook, shared his expertise, making the session a fantastic learning opportunity for all attendees. The seminar not only deepened our understanding of cutting-edge drone technology but also highlighted the future potential of autonomous flight systems.