By Ashley Sim and Shikin Louis
LUNDU, Oct 8: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has proposed a name change for the State’s Aviation Academy, suggesting it be renamed the ‘Aerospace Academy’ to reflect a broader focus beyond just aviation.
“I suggest we change the name of this academy because ‘aviation’ only covers the scope of flights.
“If possible, I would recommend we rename it to ‘Aerospace Academy’,” he stated during his speech at a ceremony to launch the Aviation Academy today at Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) Lundu here.
The Premier noted that the change is necessary to accommodate the academy’s growing collaborations with international institutions and industry partners.
“We are collaborating with higher learning institutions and our partners abroad. I am informed that Turkey is very strong in defence, especially in engineering for defence equipment like fighter jets.
“Secondly, for aviation, we are working with Airbus or Boeing through Airod Sdn Bhd. And thirdly, hopefully, we will have our own satellite for economic purposes, not military,” he said.
Abang Johari further highlighted that one satellite would not be enough to support Sarawak’s ambitions, and the State would require at least four interconnected satellites to accurately measure and collect data for economic development.
These satellites, he explained, would form an integrated network to provide comprehensive data for planning and resource management.
The Aviation Academy at Centexs Lundu was launched today, with the Premier officiating at the event.
According to a press handout, Centex Lundu positions itself as the Aviation Academy Centre, serving as a catalyst for various aerospace and aviation-related activities and programmes, including aviation studies, to offer comprehensive aviation education and training.
“Centexs is collaborating with Airod (Aircraft Inspection, Repair, and Overhaul Depot), Aviation Design Centre (ADC), and i-Cats (i-Cats University College).
“This programme is expected to attract students from across the region, thereby boosting the local economy and preparing youth for careers in aviation and related technologies,” read the handout.
It mentioned that the training programme will encompass various aspects, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) for helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, avionics, and aerospace manufacturing focused on metalworking, machining, and CNC processes. The scope will cover commercial airlines, helicopters, and defence jets.
During the launch, two Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) were exchanged: one between Centexs and ADC and another between Centexs and i-CATS.
Present at the event were distinguished guests including Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof; Sarawak Minister for Transport (MOTS), Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), Datuk Sri Julaihi Narawi; Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD), Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Centexs Commercial chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Ghani. — DayakDaily
