Aerospace partnership opens international opportunities for Wits engineering students

Wits aeronautical engineering students could soon gain greater access to specialised aerospace training in France through a new four-year partnership between the University, Airbus Southern Africa and French aerospace institute ISAE-SUPAERO.

The three institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening aerospace education, research and skills development in South Africa.

A key part of the agreement will see Wits and ISAE-SUPAERO compare and align parts of their aerospace engineering curricula. The institutions also plan to establish exchanges for academics and, later, students between Johannesburg and Toulouse, France.

The partnership could give qualifying Wits students a pathway into specialised Master’s programmes and advanced aerospace research at ISAE-SUPAERO.

Professor Lynn Morris, Wits Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, says the agreement will expand the opportunities available to engineering students.

“Partnering with global leaders like Airbus and ISAE-SUPAERO enhances our capability to deliver world-class engineering education,” says Morris.

“This agreement ensures our students gain access to advanced aerospace modules, international exposure, and practical research opportunities directly tied to industry needs.”

Before student exchanges can take place, the universities will examine how their courses and academic credits compare and ensure that programmes meet South African qualification requirements.

The partnership also includes a reciprocal faculty exchange programme, which will allow academics from Wits and ISAE-SUPAERO to work with their counterparts in South Africa and France.

Airbus will bring an industry component to the collaboration through student engagement, aviation awareness programmes and design-thinking mentorship. The company says possible undergraduate aviation courses aimed at improving knowledge of aircraft operations could also be explored.

Nam-Binh Hoang, Airbus Country Representative in South Africa, says the partnership is intended to connect university training more closely with the skills needed by the aerospace industry.

“By combining the local expertise of Wits University, the world-class aerospace training of ISAE-SUPAERO, and Airbus operational footprint, we are building a sustainable talent pipeline that supports both local innovation and global aerospace standards,” says Hoang.

South Africa has an established aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector, but developing highly specialised engineering skills remains important for its future growth.

The agreement places Wits students within a wider international training and research network at a time when the aerospace industry is looking for engineers able to work on new aircraft technologies and more sustainable forms of aviation.

ISAE-SUPAERO President Marie-Hélène Baroux says international cooperation is important in preparing engineers for changes in the sector.

“Through this partnership with Wits University and Airbus, we are proud to foster academic exchanges and welcome top South African talent into our specialised Master’s programmes,” says Baroux.