SG university to offer aviation degrees
Singapore - Local university SIM said it will offer new aviation degree programmes in collaboration with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to meet aerospace manpower needs.
SIM University (UniSIM) in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Embry-Riddle) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will be offering two new aviation degrees and a series of Master Classes and Executive Development Programmes.
The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance (BSAM) and the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration (BSABA) will commence in July 2010, and January 2011 respectively.
WDA will offer degree programme scholarships to selected trainees earmarked for leadership positions in companies, and provide funding support for these programmes.
The new programmes will offer local polytechnic students who are graduating from aerospace-related diplomas each year to continue with an undergraduate education, as well as the existing pool of non-degree holding aerospace personnel looking to upgrade on a part-time basis.
At present, about 70% of licensed aircraft engineers in Singapore possess diploma qualifications and below, and many junior and middle level employees in the aerospace industry do not have formal educational qualifications
"Currently, there is a sizeable pool of aviation maintenance personnel who are diploma holders. Many have aspirations to upgrade to a degree level but the options available locally are limited." said Vernon Nunis, general manager for human resources of Eagle Services Asia.
"These two new programmes provide additional avenues for these personnel to upgrade their skills and knowledge to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving aerospace industry."
UniSIM and Embry-Riddle will jointly award graduating students with separate degree certificates, and its BSAM and BSABA programmes faculty will comprise academics from UniSIM and Embry-Riddle, as well as experienced industry practitioners.
According to Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, president of UniSIM, "Through this partnership with Embry-Riddle and WDA, our students now have the opportunity to learn and earn a degree from a globally recognised aviation and aerospace university, at fees subsidised by MOE and WDA."
This is landmark collaboration as it will be the first time that Embry-Riddle, the world's leading aviation and aerospace university based in the US, is collaborating with an Asian partner to offer its undergraduate degree programmes.
Singapore's aerospace industry has been growing at an average rate of 13% since 1990. It achieved a record output of S$7.1 billion in 2008, and has developed into the most comprehensive Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for the industry in Asia.
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