MAB Academy Collaborates with Industry Partners to Redesign the Aviation Training Landscape to Produce Future-proof Pilots

Kelana Jaya, 30 March 2022: Malaysia Airlines Academy (MAB Academy), a one-stop Aviation and Hospitality Centre has entered into a collaboration with approved Flight Training Organisations (FTO) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) - BATS Aviation Sdn Bhd (BATS) and Higher Education Institutions (IPT) - University College of Aviation Malaysia (UniCAM) and Meritus College, to redesign the aviation training landscape by improving the qualification standards of airline pilots.

Named ‘Project Landscape’, the initiative marks a turning point for the Malaysian aviation industry in ensuring that the new generation of aviation professionals are well prepared and qualified to meet the demand and growth of the global air transport network moving forward, with the support from the Government, CAAM and industry players.

The collaboration will allow Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to establish a new qualification standard for their pilots, earning them Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) approved diploma and degree via programmes designed to increase their credentials prior to their commencement as the national carrier’s pilots. Notably, the collaboration will also validate all parties to improve the current pilot training quality.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked by Executive Director of Meritus College, Encik Hisham Halim; Chief Executive of University College of Aviation Malaysia (UniCAM), Encik Faiz Aizat Ab Manan; and Executive Chairman of BATS Aviation Sdn Bhd (BATS), Encik Hazlee Jehan, while MAB Academy was represented by Chief Executive Officer, Captain Kamarudin Kamilin. The signing was witnessed by Group Chief Operations Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Encik Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi and Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Datuk Captain Chester Voo, at MAB Academy.

Captain Kamarudin Kamilin commented, “MAB Academy has always been an early adopter of innovations and technologies. We need to leverage on the best young minds to foster them to their full potential, whilst at the same time forcing us all to be disruptors in attracting and retaining the skilled workers and managers we require.

Future airline pilots must be all-rounders; able to navigate the industry as a pilot, manager, and businessmen at the same time. They must be exposed to the complexities of the aviation industry and ecosystem as early as possible by introducing a program that provides them with the necessary skillsets while completing their initial training.

This new programme will bring about the synergies between academic institutions, training organisations, policymakers, and the industry itself to build the pilots of tomorrow.”

Project Landscape will allow pilots to improve their business acumen and management skills, which are crucial in grooming high-quality pilots. Ultimately, MAG aspires to produce a pool of well-versed and versatile pilots for the future of the airline industry.