The Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) has sent during the summer four groups of students to scientific trips to Japan, the United States of America and France. The student groups have visited a number of universities, specialized research centers and companies in the respective destinations, in order to be introduced to the latest technologies and the most advanced studies, which will in turn sustain the scientific knowledge they have acquired in KUSTAR. The visits, which aim at expanding KUSTAR students' horizons, were made possible by the unstinting support of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of KUSTAR's board of trustees and the personal follow-up of Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Deputy Chairman of KUSTAR's board of trustees. During the visit to Japan, the group visited Keio University, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Nippon Hose Kyokai (NHK, Science '&' Technical research Laboratories), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), MANA (Materials Nanoarchitechtonics) Nano technology research center and met with famous robot, ASIMO by Honda. The group also had the opportunity to observe the full solar eclipse, which coincided with the group's visit, on the July 22, 2009. The group also had a chance to meet with the UAE Ambassador in Japan, Saeed Al Nuwais, who briefed the group about the various economic, technological and scientific areas of collaboration between the UAE and Japan. The US-group visited Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, which is based in Boston, Massachusetts. The group was divided into two subgroups and two different projects were assigned to them. The visit was an opportunity for students to get in touch with the engineers in the company. They have also visited both Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During their trip to France, the France-trip group visited Thales, the leading European company in designing and manufacturing communication devices and equipments. These manufacturing capabilities are distributed over several sites around France and several other countries. The students had the opportunity to see all development stages of these equipments from design to fabrication and testing the final products. The products include ground and space navigation, digital head-up display system, Helmet mounted sight display for helicopters, Airplane simulation system, Radars, RF secured communication and various types of Satellites. Over the years, it has been a routine that KUSTAR rewards its top students by taking them on summer trips abroad, in order to enhance their knowledge by exposing them to the latest international practices, scientific studies and practical experiences. Previous trips included Finland, Spain and the UK, according to a report of the UAE news agency "WAM".
