International carrier AirAsia X hold induction for Nilai U recruits.
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"Doing a degree is with long term career options and rewards in mind. A UK degree is internationally recognised and this allows the person to move around easier," says Dr Peter Barrington, Head of Kingston University's School of Aerospace Engineering. "This top up degree is more to move people on to supervisory roles within the industry. It is about managing a team and having the ability to deal with uncertain issues."
Dr Barrington was speaking after exchanging documents for the validation of Nilai University's (Nilai U) Advance Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering as a top up for Kingston University's BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering. Nilai U's Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering attracts a high number of applications and based on the many enquiries from students and their parents, the administrators decided to offer this pathway. In line with Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) requirements, one year of post-diploma studies allows the students to get an Advanced Diploma. Kingston University has recognised that Nilai U's two-year diploma in aircraft maintenance engineering programme is similar to its Foundation programme which is also based on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) B1-1 syllabus. After a year completing the top up programme and the necessary bridging modules, successful students will be conferred a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University, which is internationally-recognised and will allow students to pursue a MSc in Aircraft Engineering in the UK.
Nilai U's Vice President, Prof Dato' Dr Sothi Rachagan is keen to stress that this degree programme is aimed at the student who is keen to go far in the field of aircraft maintenance engineering. "Of course, the EASA license is going to be the main qualification in this industry. This top up degree is for those who aim to climb the career ladder and want to be eligible for supervisory and management positions in the future," explains Dr Sothi. "We believe it is easier for a student to complete his or her studies at one go, and then concentrate on getting the necessary work experience to get the EASA license. After all, the top-up degree is just an additional year while it will take three to five years to get the EASA license."
Nilai U was among the first institutions to offer the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and students can also sit for the EASA examinations at its Putra Nilai campus. Its facilities include a hangar and aircraft to allow students to gain the necessary hands on experience before embarking on their all-important On-The-Job-Training. The fact that many of Nilai U students are retained by industry partners reflect the healthy demand for skilled and qualified aircraft maintenance engineers. The statistics for the demand is based on the number of aircraft each company has, new aircraft orders and new airports being built in the region. The demand will continue to be robust for many years to come.
Dr Sothi states that this top up degree will give students a higher level of understanding. "This is also a highly rewarding field to be in. A person is essentially going to be responsible for aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars and whether or not it leaves the ground. Most importantly, it is about the safety of the persons who will be on the flight. It can be a very lucrative career. Having degree will certainly help a person better perform the job and ensure upwards mobility," he states.
For more information on Nilai U and programmes available, please go to www.nilai.edu.my or call 06-8502308 / 03-79603089 / 07-2262336.
