Dubbed ‘Project Landscape’, it is an initiative to build a generation of aviation professionals 

by NURUL SUHAIDI / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

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 and the University College of Aviation Malaysia (UniCAM) and Meritus College — to redesign the aviation training landscape by improving the qualification standards of pilots. 

Dubbed “Project Landscape”, it is an initiative to build a generation of aviation professionals that meet the demand for global air transport network growth. 

The collaboration will allow Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to establish a new qualification standard for its pilots, allowing them to earn a Malaysian Qualifications Agency. 

This will be attained through diploma or degree programmes aimed at improving their credentials prior to starting as national carrier pilots.

Overall, the collaboration will validate all parties to improve the current pilot training quality. 

MAB Academy CEO Captain Kamarudin Kamilin said being the early adopters of innovations and technologies, MAB will leverage the best young minds to foster them to their full potential. 

“At the same time, it forces us all to be disruptors in attracting and retaining the skilled workers and managers we require,” he said. 

He believed that future airline pilots must be all-rounders, able to navigate the industry as pilots, managers and businessmen at the same time. 

“Not only that, they must be exposed to the complexities of the aviation industry and eco-system as early as possible by introducing a programme that provides them with the necessary skill sets while completing their initial training. 

“Project Landscape will bring about the synergies between academic institutions, training organisations, policymakers, and the industry itself to build the pilots of tomorrow,” he added. 

Through the programme, future pilots will improve their business acumen and management skills, which are crucial in grooming high-quality pilots. 

MAG aspires to produce a pool of well-versed and versatile pilots for the future of the airline industry. 

The memorandum of understanding was inked by Meritus College ED Hisham Halim UniCAM CEO Faiz Aizat Ab Manan and BATS executive chairman Hazlee Jehan, while Kamarudin represented MAB Academy. 

The signing was witnessed by MAG COO Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi and CAAM CEO Datuk Captain Chester Voo, at MAB Academy.