OAPFD chief meets with Oman Aviation Academy trainees at SQU

Dr Dhafer bin Awadh al Shanfari, CEO of the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD), met with the first batch of students at the Oman Aviation Academy currently training at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Also present was Dr Badriya bint Ibrahim al Shehhiya, Director of the Centre for Preparatory Studies at Sultan Qaboos University.

The Academy is currently grooming an initial batch of 15 students in cooperation with national carrier Oman Air. The terms of entry for the second and third batches of enrolments will be announced in the third and fourth quarters of this year. Sultan Qaboos University offers a one-year Foundation Education Programme, comprising three semesters of English, Physics and Mathematics for Aviation Academy students, to qualify for the Academic Aviation Programme.

Following the completion of the foundation phase of the study and training in aviation, the students will be enrolled at the academy’s headquarters in Suhar for training by trainers selected by CAE, one of the world’s leading aviation training companies and the main operator of the Oman Aviation Academy.

Dr Dhafer al Shanfari, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Oman Aviation Academy is one of the first educational training institutions in the Sultanate to play a major role in enhancing the educational sector by introducing a new curriculum that meets the needs of local airlines. It seeks to elevate the capabilities of the region’s aviators to a high degree. We appreciate the joint cooperation between the Oman Aviation Academy and Sultan Qaboos University to dedicate a special foundation programme for the students enrolled in the Academy, which undoubtedly comes from the University’s commitment to contribute to the development process in the Sultanate and to play its role as a community service centre.”

The Oman Aviation Academy is one of the Omani Partnership for Development (ODP) projects and the first aviation training institution in the Sultanate to be implemented in partnership with Airbus Helicopters and in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund and Oman National Investment Development Company, and Al-hosn Investment Company.

The Oman Aviation Academy aims to train and train national and regional aviation cadres to obtain the ATPL aviation license, then practice aviation within local and international airlines, and provide training to the aviation sector of the military.

The Oman Aviation Academy seeks to elevate the capabilities of the region’s aviators to a high degree CEO, OAPFD