Singapore Offers New Civil Aviation Scholarships For Students In Developing Countries

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) hosted more than 100 aviation leaders from all over the world at the just-concluded 4th World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum (WCACEF). Held at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), this exclusive Forum, themed “Aviation’s Future: Embracing Change, Strengthening Partnership”, discussed how aviation stakeholders can embrace change, strengthen partnership and enable growth for more robust and sustainable international civil aviation.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore’s Minister for Transport, and Mr Roberto Kobeh González, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), delivered the keynote speeches addressing the outlook for global aviation, challenges faced by the industry, as well as priorities and efforts required to ensure a viable future for international civil aviation.

Since its inception in 2003, the Forum has served as a nexus for knowledge-sharing, bringing the international aviation community together in Singapore. This year’s Forum saw aviation leaders and experts discuss key issues such as upholding a high standard of aviation safety through strengthened partnership, enabling growth and building capacity to meet rising consumer demand, and how airlines can adapt to an increasingly complex operating environment. Speakers at the Forum included top officials from international and regional civil aviation organisations that are integral players in the aviation community.

In addition to the main Forum agenda, Singapore’s Group President of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and former Head of Civil Service, Mr Lim Siong Guan, shared Singapore’s experience in cultivating and investing in thought leadership during a breakfast talk on leadership and governance on the third day of the Forum.

Reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to meeting the human resource development needs of the international aviation community, Minister Lui and Mr Roberto Kobeh González signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Singapore and ICAO on the Developing Country Training Program (DCTP) increasing the number of fellowships for aviation training, offered by Singapore to developing ICAO Contracting States, from 180 to 250 over three years from 2013 to 2015. The increase in fellowships helps better cater to the demand for aviation training from developing countries.

In addition, six new Civil Aviation Scholarships for a seven-week long SAA Diploma program in Civil Aviation Management are being offered under the ICAO-Singapore DCTP, to help groom the next generation of aviation leaders and professionals, and provide them with the opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge in aviation management. The fellowships and scholarships are collectively estimated to be valued at $2.2 million.

FMI: www.caas.gov.sg