It’s been over a year since Nilai University College (Nilai UC) launched its Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme. The response has been immense and this programme proves that Nilai UC does indeed have its finger on the educational pulse.
We catch up with the department’s head, Kunalan Marimuthu, to find out just why this programme seems to have caught the school leaver’s imagination.
How many students are there at Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at the moment?
We got just under 100 students for the January and March 2008 intakes while a further 75 have registered for the July intake alone. We have already received a number of applications for the January 2009 intake. These are very encouraging figures and bode well for the industry as well as for Nilai UC's programme.
How do you explain the success of the programme thus far?
Students get course notes from our partner institution in the United Kingdom and are guided by a dedicated teaching staff making this a very attractive proposition. A reputable partner conducting the professional exams also lends credence to our programme. But most importantly, students will acquire an internationally recognised qualification and this makes Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering a much sought after qualification.
You have met many students and parents since the launch in Nov 2007. What are the reasons they give for enrolling in this programme?
Parents and students alike are drawn to the fact that our programme offers the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 66 B1-1 professional qualification, which is internationally recognised and is much sought after today. Many have independently verified the importance of EASA qualification in the aviation industry and are thus keen to gain this qualification. They also note that we have links with many organisations within the local aviation industry which will be a boon when its time for the student to undergo industrial placement.
The boom in the aviation industry has fed the demand for skilled aircraft maintenance personnel. Is this still the case with fluctuating fuel prices and global recession?
Fuel crisis alone does not affect the industry. There are other factors to be considered as well. For example, it is estimated that the world’s airlines will require 24,000 new aircraft, which must be greener, cleaner and smarter than ever before. As such, the demand for a skilled work force to keep these aircraft airworthy will be there.
Is there any danger that the aviation industry may stagnate and cause a glut of unemployed aircraft maintenance engineers?
No, I don’t think so because air travel is part of our life now. As such, there is a need to use aircrafts as a mode of transportation. Additionally there is some thing called retirement for ageing engineers and technicians. Who are expected to replace these retired personnel? Engineers are also tempted to find greener pastures abroad. So there is a constant need for replacements.
There’s been another new development in that Nilai UC is now a recognised Second Examination Site for the EASA Part 66 B1-1. Tell us more about that.
There are a few other institutions providing Aircraft Maintenance engineering courses but Nilai UC is among a very select few that has the approval to conduct the IR Part 66 Exams. Nilai UC launched this programme in November 2007 and is developing at a very rapid rate as within that time we have managed to provide the avenue for students and aircraft engineers to sit for this highly-sought after qualification in our own backyard.
How important is it for Nilai UC to have this accreditation?
Its very important in giving the basic training for fresh school leavers and matured adults who look forward to acquiring the professional qualifications. This accreditation in fact links Nilai UC with the aircraft maintenance industry and the technical personnel who have not acquired the licence or needs the conversion exams to be abreast with the license requirements.
What are the advantages to being a Second Exam Site?
One can conduct professional exams (IR Part 66) for all categories identical to our partner institution (Air Services Training, Perth, Scotland). This is not limited to Nilai UC’s full-time students only but also to unlicensed and licensed personnel involved directly in the maintenance of aircrafts.
Do you recommend diploma students in this field to further pursue their studies?
Being a maintenance engineering programme, its ideal that diploma graduates pursue a B.Sc. in Aircraft Engineering. This qualification enables them to hold supervisory positions in the maintenance environment.
What are the benefits of pursuing a degree in aircraft maintenance engineering?
It will be useful for those who want to go far and be fast-tracked into managerial positions. It also opens up opportunities in related fields such as that of Chief Engineer.
Nilai UC was established in 1997 and is located just 40-minutes south of Kuala Lumpur. Within its 105-acre campus, you’ll find students from 50 different nations pursuing degrees and diplomas as diverse as the Diploma in Culinary Arts and the Degree in Computer Science. For more information, please got to http://www.nilai.edu.my/ or call 06-8502338 / 07-333 2336 / 03-5637 2619 / 088-238811.
We catch up with the department’s head, Kunalan Marimuthu, to find out just why this programme seems to have caught the school leaver’s imagination.
How many students are there at Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at the moment?
We got just under 100 students for the January and March 2008 intakes while a further 75 have registered for the July intake alone. We have already received a number of applications for the January 2009 intake. These are very encouraging figures and bode well for the industry as well as for Nilai UC's programme.
How do you explain the success of the programme thus far?
Students get course notes from our partner institution in the United Kingdom and are guided by a dedicated teaching staff making this a very attractive proposition. A reputable partner conducting the professional exams also lends credence to our programme. But most importantly, students will acquire an internationally recognised qualification and this makes Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering a much sought after qualification.
You have met many students and parents since the launch in Nov 2007. What are the reasons they give for enrolling in this programme?
Parents and students alike are drawn to the fact that our programme offers the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 66 B1-1 professional qualification, which is internationally recognised and is much sought after today. Many have independently verified the importance of EASA qualification in the aviation industry and are thus keen to gain this qualification. They also note that we have links with many organisations within the local aviation industry which will be a boon when its time for the student to undergo industrial placement.
The boom in the aviation industry has fed the demand for skilled aircraft maintenance personnel. Is this still the case with fluctuating fuel prices and global recession?
Fuel crisis alone does not affect the industry. There are other factors to be considered as well. For example, it is estimated that the world’s airlines will require 24,000 new aircraft, which must be greener, cleaner and smarter than ever before. As such, the demand for a skilled work force to keep these aircraft airworthy will be there.
Is there any danger that the aviation industry may stagnate and cause a glut of unemployed aircraft maintenance engineers?
No, I don’t think so because air travel is part of our life now. As such, there is a need to use aircrafts as a mode of transportation. Additionally there is some thing called retirement for ageing engineers and technicians. Who are expected to replace these retired personnel? Engineers are also tempted to find greener pastures abroad. So there is a constant need for replacements.
There’s been another new development in that Nilai UC is now a recognised Second Examination Site for the EASA Part 66 B1-1. Tell us more about that.
There are a few other institutions providing Aircraft Maintenance engineering courses but Nilai UC is among a very select few that has the approval to conduct the IR Part 66 Exams. Nilai UC launched this programme in November 2007 and is developing at a very rapid rate as within that time we have managed to provide the avenue for students and aircraft engineers to sit for this highly-sought after qualification in our own backyard.
How important is it for Nilai UC to have this accreditation?
Its very important in giving the basic training for fresh school leavers and matured adults who look forward to acquiring the professional qualifications. This accreditation in fact links Nilai UC with the aircraft maintenance industry and the technical personnel who have not acquired the licence or needs the conversion exams to be abreast with the license requirements.
What are the advantages to being a Second Exam Site?
One can conduct professional exams (IR Part 66) for all categories identical to our partner institution (Air Services Training, Perth, Scotland). This is not limited to Nilai UC’s full-time students only but also to unlicensed and licensed personnel involved directly in the maintenance of aircrafts.
Do you recommend diploma students in this field to further pursue their studies?
Being a maintenance engineering programme, its ideal that diploma graduates pursue a B.Sc. in Aircraft Engineering. This qualification enables them to hold supervisory positions in the maintenance environment.
What are the benefits of pursuing a degree in aircraft maintenance engineering?
It will be useful for those who want to go far and be fast-tracked into managerial positions. It also opens up opportunities in related fields such as that of Chief Engineer.
Nilai UC was established in 1997 and is located just 40-minutes south of Kuala Lumpur. Within its 105-acre campus, you’ll find students from 50 different nations pursuing degrees and diplomas as diverse as the Diploma in Culinary Arts and the Degree in Computer Science. For more information, please got to http://www.nilai.edu.my/ or call 06-8502338 / 07-333 2336 / 03-5637 2619 / 088-238811.
