News & Stories

Sinclair Community College and HIT Break New Ground with UAS Partnership

HIT and Sinclair have signed an agreement that is designed to create new pathways for technical, academic, certificate, and degree programs between the two organizations. Both institutions will have the ability to collaborate on joint education, training, and applied research and development activities through the agreement, including identifying external funding sources to support advancing UAS (Unmanned Arial Systems) capabilities.
 
The partnership marks the first formal UAS agreement that Sinclair has entered into with an international higher education institution, and could provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff through study abroad and exchange programs with a focus on UAS and related technologies.
 
Sinclair College's National UAS Training and Certification Center sits at the forefront of UAS innovation, and is dedicated to meeting the workforce needs of the growing UAS industry. Sinclair's UAS program supports research, development, and training on vehicles and components through advanced unmanned and manned simulation, sensors, avionics, maintenance, advanced manufacturing and rapid prototyping, data analytics, and wind tunnel labs.
 
From right: Dr. Andrew Shepherd, Hadas Bar-Or, Mr. Ratner, Prof. Arik Sade, Mr. Michael Armon, Mr. Dmitry Patashov. Sitting: Ms. Deb Norris , Prof. Yakubov
From right: Dr. Andrew Shepherd, Hadas Bar-Or, Mr. Aharon Ratner, Prof. Arik Sade, Mr. Michael Armon, Mr. Dmitry Patashov. Sitting: Ms. Deb Norris , Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Dr. Refael Barkan
 
Dr. Refael Barkan, Head of Research, Development and External Relations at HIT added that "HIT considers this collaboration as a very important step in widening its academic and R&D partnerships in the USA. The field of UAS can provide a variety of opportunities for academic staff, researchers as well as students. It can also pave the way for an additional layer of collaboration with the industry in Israel and abroad."
 
Ms. Deb Norris, Senior VP Workforce Development & Corporate Services, Sinclair Community College, noted that there is a great resemblance between the two institutions in their focus on creating partnerships, developing leading curriculum, and investing significantly to establish prominent programs that correspond with the need of the industry for professional staff with a multidisciplinary academic, yet practical training.
 
Both parties will now work on the various options to implement this agreement and substantiate its potential.