While the pandemic has put limits on on-site instruction, it has also led industry educators to deliver their expertise globally. Among the world’s leading educators in engineering and manufacturing is Calvin Rans, assistant professor within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Rans, whose research into Damage Tolerant Design examines the failure and degradation of lightweight aircraft materials and structures, is popular with students for his ability to incorporate multimedia into his presentations. Born in Canada (he also holds an adjunct professorship at Carleton University in Ottawa) Rans has branched out into the emerging field of Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) using 3D-printing.  

Some courses are free, including Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering which includes an examination of fastener performance in fuselage manufacture.