Degree programme to produce high-flyers

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

A Civil Aviation Degree programme will be introduced jointly by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry so as to produce professionally qualified graduates in the aviation sector, Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayarathne said.

Preliminary arrangements have already been made for introducing this Civil Aviation degree programme. Under this initiative, an eight member Committee was appointed to plan out the degree programme. The Committee was chaired by Professor Anil Kumarage of the Moratuwa University . The the officials of both Ministries are analysing the reports and discussing arrangements.

A considerable number of employment opportunities are available locally and internationally for professionally qualified individuals in the aviation sector eventhough there is no proper mechanism to evaluate professional qualifications within the country.

Moreover it is hard to obtain academic qualifications, the minister said.

By 2025 the world may need 250,000 pilots and thousands of professionals for the world aviation sector. Focussing on catering to the potential employment opportunities by 2025 the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has launched various programmes to create interest about the aviation sector. In line with the ICAO initiatives,the Civil Aviation Authority is conducting a programme for school children under the theme "The future is yours" aiming to make them aware about the potential employment opportunities which are highly recognised.

"The Civil Aviation sector is a rapidly expanding sector," Minister Jayarathna said.