Afzal Suleman, Técnico professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and researcher at idMEC, was praised by João Gomes Cravinho the then Minister of National Defence, “for his outstanding contribution and dedication to research and development at national level, and at NATO, within the scope of his duties as national delegate and researcher with extensive experience on NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) Applied Vehicle Technologies (AVT) Panel”, as outlined in the Diário da República.

The Técnico professor was honoured for the “extreme dedication in mentoring activities, guiding several doctorates, masters and other scientific works, and leading international research projects, in which he has demonstrated excellence and professional integrity in the pursuit of national and STO/NATO goals”.

Professor Afzal Suleman holds a MSc. in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College London, 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.

Throughout his career he has won several national and international awards, namely the Von Karman Medal 2021 in recognition of his contributions to 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.

The Minister of National Defence considered of utmost importance “to express public recognition to professor Afzal Suleman” in view of “his relevant personal qualities, outstanding performance and strong research skills, which promoted Portugal’s image at STO/NATO and significantly contributed to the efficiency, prestige and fulfilment of the mission of the Ministry of National Defence”.