Propelling Innovation: How Cranfield's Advanced Lightweight and Composites Structures MSc launched my aerospace research career
From the classroom at Cranfield University to a national research centre in Indonesia, my journey through the MSc in Advanced Lightweight and Composite Structures (ALCS) has been a testament to the power of industry-focused, hands-on engineering education. I'm Ilham Akbar, an Indonesian national, a graduate, and now a Researcher at the Research Centre for Aeronautics Technology – National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). My time at Cranfield turned a passion for aerospace into a high-impact research career.
Why I Chose Cranfield: A foundation built on industry collaboration
Choosing to study at Cranfield University was an easy decision for me. I’d heard about its global reputation for close industry collaboration and its hands-on, engineering-driven approach since my undergraduate studies in Aerospace Engineering. The ALCS course, specifically, was a perfect match for my long-term goal of advancing composite technologies for aerospace applications.
Studying abroad had always been one of my biggest dreams, not only because I have a deep love for football and the unique atmosphere of the UK, but mainly because of my ambition to study aerospace engineering at a world-class university. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP), which allowed me to pursue this goal through the MSc in Advanced Lightweight and Composite Structures at Cranfield University.
I was particularly attracted by the integration of theoretical knowledge, numerical modelling, and real-world problem-solving through projects with direct industrial relevance.
The course itself was intellectually challenging and deeply insightful. My lecturers' expertise and industry experience elevated every discussion, strengthening both my technical foundation and my confidence to contribute to advanced research in aerospace composites.
Real-world readiness: from airbus project leader to researcher
The ALCS MSc is brilliantly structured to prepare you for the demands of the real world through three key experiences:
- Class and technical sessions: These sessions, ending with exams or reports, strengthened my core technical foundation in lightweight and composite structures.
- The group project: This was definitely a highlight! I had the opportunity to serve as the team leader for a project provided by Airbus. We were challenged to analyse and propose engineering solutions based on a real industrial need. It gave us the chance to apply what we learned to a practical, high-level aerospace problem, under the guidance of both Cranfield academics and Airbus experts.
- The individual research project (thesis): This allowed me to delve deep into a specific engineering problem, combining manufacturing, testing, and simulation in Cranfield’s excellent research facilities. Supported by a diverse team of professional supervisors, this experience was invaluable in shaping my current research approach: integrating design, experimentation, and numerical analysis.
The course prepared me not only in technical competence but also in leadership, teamwork, and analytical problem-solving—all essential skills for my current engineering and research environment. I was also honoured to receive The Course Director’s Prize for Outstanding Overall Performance and The Course Director’s Prize for Best Individual Thesis during my time at Cranfield.
Future forward: integrating smart technology
Cranfield's focus on smart materials, embedded sensors, and intelligent manufacturing directly impacted my career goals. My thesis project was a prime example, teaching me how to connect theory with practical engineering, from material fabrication to performance validation.
Today, as a researcher at BRIN, I focus on the development, analysis, and optimisation of composite structures for various aerospace applications. My day-to-day work involves manufacturing, testing, and simulation - a dynamic environment that is a direct continuation of the skills I honed at Cranfield.
My ultimate aspiration is to establish a research collaboration between BRIN and Cranfield University. I sincerely believe that partnership and knowledge exchange are key to accelerating progress in advanced composites, intelligent manufacturing, and digital design.
My top advice for prospective students
If you are considering a career in advanced lightweight and composite structures, my most critical advice is this:
- Be genuinely curious: Take full advantage of the opportunity to gain in-depth and hands-on knowledge. Curiosity is the bridge that connects theoretical knowledge with real engineering understanding.
- Embrace the trio: Dive deep into the interaction between manufacturing, testing, and simulation. Understanding this complete lifecycle - how a structure is made, how its performance is verified, and how it can be modelled - is the foundation of a proper engineering mindset.
- Master communication: Cranfield trains you to produce high-quality reports and papers. It's not enough to analyse data; you must be able to organise, visualise, and convey it clearly. Combining solid technical work with effective communication is what truly transforms good research into impactful research.
-Ilham Akbar