Asia’s leading low cost carrier formally becomes Nilai U’s industry partner.
Nilai University (Nilai U) signed a MoU with Asia’s leading low cost long haul carrier AirAsia X Berhad (AirAsia X) at the hangar of the university’s campus in Putra Nilai. The document formalises AirAsia X as the latest industry partner to Nilai U’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme. Under the terms of the MoU, AirAsia X will ensure a number of places are set aside for Nilai U’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students to undergo their On -Job-Training (OJT).
Datuk Dr Megat Burhainuddin B Megat Abdul Rahman (Vice-Chancellor & President, Nilai U) presented a token of appreciation to Mr Soo Hoo Haw Loon (Acting Head of Engineering, AirAsia X Berhad).
The OJT is a crucial part of the programme’s syllabus. As Datuk Dr. Megat Burhainuddin B. Megat Abdul Rahman (Nilai U’s President and Vice-Chancellor) stressed in his speech, “In any field, it is crucial that a person receives On-Job-Training. This allows students to realise what is expected of them in the real working world.” To ensure students receive crucial work experience, a six-month OJT is built into the two-and-a-half year Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme. Nilai U has sent a total of 76 students to AirAsia X since December 2010 for their OJT, with a number being retained by the airline on a full time basis.
Dr. Megat also took the opportunity to remind the students who had assembled to witness the MoU signing to consider furthering their studies into the Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Engineering programme. With just an additional year’s study, students will be entitled to receive a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University, UK. This is because the British university recognises that the syllabi of Nilai U’s Diploma and Advanced Diploma programmes are equivalent to their degree programme and will reward students who successfully complete both programmes (along with the relevant bridging modules) with an internationally-recognised honours degree.
Latest Nilai U's industry partner: Speaking on behalf of Asia's largest low-cost carrier, Mr. Moses Devanayagam, Air Asia X’s Director of Operations.
Speaking on behalf of AirAsia X was Mr. Moses Devanayagam, Air Asia X’s Director of Operations, who told students that the key aspect at the airline was safety. “Without safety, you are not going anywhere,” he extols. He went on to say that it is the aircraft maintenance engineers who are ultimately responsible for the safety of the people on board a plane. “When you put a signature on the document, you must be sure you have done your very best to ensure the safety of the passengers and the crew.” Moses stressed to the students the need for discipline, dedication and honesty to succeed in this field. At the same time, he also told students to be open minded enough to consider other areas in the aviation industry such as cabin crew.
Nilai U launched the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in 2008 to overwhelming response. Since then it has built a hangar on campus featuring two planes for students to work on.
