Afzal Suleman, professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and researcher at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IDMEC), has recently been awarded the Von Kármán Medal by the NATO Scientific and Technology Board (STB). The Medal is awarded for exemplary service and significant contribution to the enhancement of progress in research and technology cooperation among the NATO nations carried out in conjunction with Research & Technology Organization activities.
Professor Afzal Suleman received the Von Karman Medal 2021 in recognition of his “exemplary” service in NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO), in the fields of aeronautics, with a particular focus on unmanned aerial systems, aero-elasticity and morphing wing technologies.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Portugal at the service of NATO over the past 20 years”, says professor Afzal Suleman. “The knowledge acquired was crucial to train the future aerospace engineers, in Técnico and in Portugal”, he adds.
Over the past two decades, professor Afzal Suleman has represented Portugal in the Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Panel, as National Delegate and research scientist. His excellent work resulted in two AVT Panel Excellence Awards. “Professor Suleman has exemplified the spirit of trans-Atlantic collaboration, making significant contributions to the technological cooperation between Portugal and Canada through the AVT Panel Support Programme”, the STO website says.
Professor Afzal Suleman obtained a BSc and MSc in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London, followed by a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia. After finishing his PhD, he attended the International Space University, where he completed the Advanced Space Studies Program in Japan, in the summer of 1992. Afterwards, he was awarded the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Fellowship in the USA for a period of two years (1992-1994) to further his research on Advanced Aerospace Structures at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The Técnico professor is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.
