With the gradual easing of the pandemic, the government has slowly relaxed anti-COVID measures, and Hong Kong people who love travelling are eager to make plans for their first trip in over two years. The School has paid attention to social development for years, and continuously launched different programmes to meet the rapidly rising demand for aviation services in the post-pandemic era. Combining with the most advanced flight simulation equipment, these programmes will cultivate the best talents of the aviation industry.

A perfect combination of advanced technology and hardware

To cooperate with the development of the aviation programmes, the School is determined to convert the Island South (Pokfulam) Campus into an innovative hub, combining the most advanced equipment to allow the aviation programmes’ students to be able to experience professional and authentic flight operations training, so as to achieve the best and most effective teaching and learning. The centre has an Aircraft Mock-up Cabin & Flight Simulator Laboratory, equipped with the Full Motion Flight Simulator so that students can gain flying experience, and the Airbus A320 type door trainer allows students to practice emergency escape procedures etc. Also, there is a Collaborative Learning Area for Aviation with air traffic control simulation training facilities, and an Aircraft Maintenance Laboratory that displays the Cessna C152 aircraft, Commercial Jet engine blade & aircraft components, and the Aircraft Maintenance Practice area.

New programmes nurture top talents for the aviation industry

In the era of technological revolution, in order to maintain their competitiveness in the industry, airlines and airport management are committed to adopting the latest technology to improve passenger experience, and combining big data to enhance the ability of business digitalisation and automation. In light of this, the School will launch the “Introduction to Aviation and Big Data Applications” course this Fall, the first international Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in aviation in Hong Kong, allowing the public to obtain learning resources easily. After completing this ten-hour introductory course, participants will have the basic knowledge of big data applications in aviation operation and management.

In addition, the programme “Postgraduate Certificate in Aviation and Big Data Applications” is specially designed for current aviation practitioners who are interested in learning the latest knowledge of big data applications in the aviation industry, and it’s expected to be launched in November 2022. This programme will cover the basic concept as well as application of big data analysis and best practices to support aviation business decision making, which is very suitable for aviation practitioners who do not have IT knowledge.  

Students receive scholarships in recognition of their outstanding performance

Congratulations to a number of outstanding students of the Bachelor of Aviation Management programme who have received scholarships from the government and partner university to support their learning pathway to a professional aviation career: five students received the 2021/22 Hong Kong Aviation Scholarships (HKASS) awarded by the government, with each awardee receiving a HK$100,000 scholarship; four students received the Outstanding Scholarship, with each awardee receiving a HK$40,000 scholarship; and thirty-eight students received the Swinburne University of Technology Scholarship.

Victor Wong, who received HKASS, said: “Australia Study Trip, airport visit, and motion flight simulation etc, gave me opportunities to gain my first trial flight and allowed me to exchange ideas with aviators coming from different parts of the world. All these enjoyable experiences helped me develop a deeper understanding of aviation and better prepared me to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot.”

Maggie Chan, who also received HKASS, said, “I have worked in airports for over ten years. Going back to school is not easy in real life, but you will feel that everything is worth doing. The Bachelor of Aviation Management programme gave me a more comprehensive understanding of aviation, and I learned a lot from experienced local and overseas teachers. Studying that programme has helped me the most in my career and made me more professional.”