Asian Aviation Centre (Pvt) Ltd.

High Performing Students rewarded at Asian Aviation Centre Academic Awards Ceremony – 2011

Asian Aviation Centre (AAC), incorporating the AAC Flight Academy and the AAC Engineering Academy held its Annual Academic Awards Ceremony for the academic year 2010/2011 on Friday, 26^th August 2011 with the participation of Secretary – Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratna as the Chief Guest and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering – Kingston University, Dr. Peter Mason as the Guest of Honour.

This was the 14th Academic Awards Ceremony of AAC. Each year AAC appreciates the dedicated hard work of its students and this year students received 134 awards for their commitment to work and performance.

Asian Aviation Centre (Pvt) Ltd (AAC) was registered as a private limited liability company in 1985 to operate a flying training school. In 1995, two distinct schools were created to cater to increasing demand of flying and engineering training. These two academies are today known as the AAC Engineering Academy (AACEA) and the AAC Flight Academy (AACFA).

AAC have produced over two hundred degree holders in Aerospace Engineering, while producing several professional pilots employed by the national airline and other reputed airlines. Presently over two hundred and fifty students are being trained for academic and professional qualifications in Engineering and Flying.

AAC Engineering Academy (AACEA) is affiliated to the Kingston University of London, UK and offers accredited degree courses in Engineering to local students and is the only organization dedicated to provide academic study programmes in Aviation Engineering in Sri Lanka. It also offers a career oriented Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, leading to Aircraft Maintenance Licence.

AAC Flight Academy (AACFA) offers Private and Commercial Pilot Licence course and Instrument, Multi Engine and Assistant Flight Instructor courses with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. It also offers a program covering Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) Ground Training Syllabus enabling students to obtain frozen ATPL.

Among the this year’s award winners were five enthusiastic students who won special awards for their academic performance. The students who won these special awards were;

Dewaka Tharindu Kumaranayake – Prof. Andrew Self Challenge Trophy for Best Year 2 Student in BEng (Hons) Aerospace / Mechanical / Automotive Engineering Design Degree Course

Dinesh Eranda Wijeratne – Air Vice Marshal Upali Wanasinghe Challenge Trophy for Best Final Year Student in HND Engineering (Aerospace / Mechanical / Automotive) Course

Yannick Daniel Hertogs – AAC Engineering Academy Challenge Trophy for Best Final Year Student in Foundation Degree in Aviation Studies for Commercial Pilot Training Course

 Jason Christopher Macdonald and Chamil Madushanka Weerasinghe – Mr. Asoka Perera Memorial Trophy for Best Student in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Approved by Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka

 Dulan Krishantha De Silva – AAC Flight Academy Challenge Trophy for Best PPL Ground School Performance

“A career in aviation engineering is exciting and extremely rewarding, that is why we ensure that numerous pathways are available for students to pursue” stated Mr. Dhananjaya Weerasinghe – Director Studies of Asian Aviation Centre in his address at the ceremony.

“Aviation Engineering is an incessant, lifelong passion for many individuals. Every year thousands of students who complete their primary education (O/L’s or A/L’s) decide to pursue their dream of being Aviation Professionals. As exciting as it is, a career in aviation engineering should be carefully planned out. With the appropriate coaching and guidance, endless avenues of success await the Aviation Engineering Professional.”

Addressing the students on the future prospects in aviation engineering and piloting, Mr. Weerasinghe stated that the industry is on an upward trend and several leading airlines have placed huge bulk orders for aircraft and are seeking aviation professionals, especially engineers and pilots to supplicate the increased demand for air travel around the world. Therefore, besides excellent international scope for career advancement, a lucrative & exciting career awaits qualified aviation engineering students.

He further stated, that Emirates Airlines recently ordered 30 Boeing 777-300ER’s to cater to the increased air travel and Emirates has announced that they require several pilots and a multitude of engineers to cater to the increasing demand.

Sri Lankan Airlines is currently experiencing a rapid increase in air traffic and with fresh routes opening an increase in demand for specialized personnel is inevitable.

Airbus announced last year that they had received an initial order for more than 50 Airbus A380 aircraft, which was the first order of a large portfolio within three years. All these orders fuel the demand for more aptly qualified personnel within the industry.

“AAC offers an internationally recognised Engineering qualifications and an academic qualification for pilots from the Kingston University of London, this carries significant weight when students apply for jobs even in an international market. And since the remuneration packages are extremely attractive, this only adds further incentive to the number of students taking up a career in aviation each year.

A positive outlook in business particularly in the Middle East & Far East has been contributory to the growth of the aviation industry. We foresee the demand for aviation engineers and pilots to grow even further during the upcoming years, and we believe in preparing students to take their place among the best in the industry” the Director Studies, Mr. Dhananjaya Weerasinghe further stated in his address.

Ms. Nihara Jayatilleke, Managing Director of Asian Aviation Centre welcomed the guests. Mr. Chandran Rutnam, the Chairman of Asian Aviation Centre, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, Chief Guest and Dr. Peter Mason, Guest of Honour also addressed the gathering.