ISA Welcomes Delegates From The Maastricht University Partnership

News | Posted on Wednesday 26 June 2024

ISA were pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Thomas Cleij, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, as well as esteemed colleagues from the Department of Advanced Computer Sciences, the Department of Philosophy, and other senior faculty members.

Delegates from Maastricht university sat at a table, looking attentively at speaker which is out of frame.
Maastricht University delegation led by Prof. Dr Thomas Cleij

The visit provided an opportunity to explore ISA's pioneering work as Maastricht University embarks on establishing its own Brightlands Robotics initiative. The visit showcased ISA’s interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies , with a view to learning from these strategies for Maastricht's emerging institute. The visit facilitated a productive exchange of knowledge and ideas, fostering new relationships and laying the groundwork for a joint programme of activity moving forward. Discussions spanned a range of topics, including safe autonomy, ethical considerations in robotics, communications, and robotics facilities design and management.

Prof. Miles Elsden, Director of the ISA, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration:

"We were delighted to welcome our colleagues from Maastricht University. ISA is committed to advancing safe and ethical robotics and connected autonomous systems, and this partnership provides a valuable opportunity to share our experiences and collaborate on cutting-edge robotics research."

Prof. Dr. Thomas Cleij highlighted the importance of this visit for Maastricht University:

"We brought a broad delegation from Maastricht University to visit our colleagues at the Institute for Safe Autonomy. After initially visiting ISA by myself, I was impressed by the work being done at the University of York and realised I had to return with a group of colleagues.

The experience provided each and every one of us with ample inspiration - whether in research, facility management, or administrative roles. Our two institutions are highly complementary in the area of robotics. I am therefore delighted that the visit has resulted in ideas for structural collaboration, and I look forward to jointly exploring these opportunities in the coming months"

The delegation's visit to ISA is expected to be the first of many collaborative efforts between the two universities, fostering a long-term relationship that will benefit both institutions and the broader scientific community.

Dr Katherine Benson, Head of the York-Maastricht Partnership, describes the visit as: 

"The York-Maastricht Partnership thrives on such dynamic exchanges. This visit epitomises the spirit of cooperation and knowledge-sharing that defines our partnership, paving the way for joint collaboration." 

Contact Information:

- York-Maastricht Partnership: Dr Katherine Benson, Head of the York-Maastricht Partnership

- Institute for Safe Autonomy: John Frankland, Senior Business Development Manager