19 Students Earn Advanced Aviation Degrees

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Asia graduated its inaugural class of 19 MBA in Aviation (MBAA) students during a ceremony held recently at Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), where the MBAA courses are taught. Launched in January 2011, the first specialized MBA program offered by Embry-Riddle in Asia has quickly grown to 69 students, counting the first class, three other MBAA classes under way and a fifth starting in January 2013. 

The MBAA program is attracting students from a diverse cross section of Singapore and Southeast Asia’s expanding aviation and aerospace industry who want to learn how to use modern management concepts, methods and tools in an aviation context.

“Embry-Riddle is the only place in the world that could offer me an MBA fine-tuned and tailored to my passion, which is aviation," said Sanjeev Upadhiah, a Tiger Airways first officer who graduated in the inaugural MBAA class. "The learning is tremendous because I get such a wide range of inputs from my classmates—the whole dynamic of aviation, all the components of flight, are represented.”

The commencement guest speaker was Lee Yuen Hee, Deputy Secretary (International) of the Singapore Ministry of Transport. “This unique MBAA program equips students with in-depth practical management skills and core competencies applicable to the aviation business environment,” he said. “The learning elements provided by SAA, drawing on the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s accumulated experience in aviation governance, regulation and the wider expertise of Singapore, have further enhanced the understanding of the practical issues involved in managing a wide spectrum of aviation functions and specialization.” 

Dr. John Watret, Chancellor of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, also spoke at the commencement ceremony, saying “Today our graduates join a community of more than 100,000 Embry-Riddle alumni spread around the world who provide the required expertise and leadership for an expanding aviation and aerospace industry. The university is proud to welcome the first graduates from our Singapore campus. We are confident that they will expand our tradition of excellence in the region.”  
                                                                 
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Asia also offers a Master of Aeronautical Science degree in collaboration with SAA. In another partnership, Embry-Riddle offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration with Singapore’s SIM University. Additional degree programs are being considered for 2013.

(ERAU-Asia MBAA class photo provided by ERAU)

FMI: www.erau.edu