The market of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is rapidly emerging and it is important to be up-to-date with all dynamic technological, legal and commercial developments related to this domain. This is why we positively replied to the proposal of organizing a NATO event dedicated to this topic. I am glad to highlight that this was already the second time we hosted at Universiapolis the Advanced Training Course organized in the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security research programme.

The event entitled “Modern technologies enabling safe and secure UAV operation in urban airspace” had the aim of creating an enhanced awareness among all NATO and Partner Countries about the safety and security challenges that concern UAV flights in urban airspace. The main idea of the training was to share knowledge and know-how between the specialists who are actively advancing UAV technologies and UAV capabilities that in turn help to advance safety and security across NATO and Partner Countries. Various countries have different UAV innovation and deployment experiences, which is why such a course was required for joint and uniform efforts to enhance UAVs safety and security operations in NATO and Partner Countries.

The event begun with an overall presentation about the state of the art for UAV technologies. Then, the speakers paid attention to technological features that might be a threat for flight safety in commercial or military airspace applications. The main discussion about UAV systems focused on two aspects: development and deployment.

The ATC event was designed to facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation in NATO and Partner Countries on issues of common interest, including international efforts to develop new solutions and to prepare people to welcome the world of drones. The participants were experienced scientists and industry engineers from NATO and Partner countries, involved in activity of the UAVs. We trust that this ATC NATO workshop served as the ideal forum for all those gathered experts to build an efficient network for future.

We are happy we hosted the event on Moroccan soil and I do believe all participants keep good memories of the time spent in Agadir.

Dr. Ilias Majdouline

Director of The Polytechnic School of Agadir

Vice-president of Universiapolis