CAAS Hosts World Forum on Aviation's Future

Reaffirming commitment to industry's human resource development, Singapore offers new Civil Aviation Scholarships for developing countries

From 4 to 6 February 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will host more than 100 aviation leaders from all over the world, gathered here in Singapore for the 4th World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum (WCACEF). Held at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), this exclusive Forum, themed “Aviation’s Future: Embracing Change, Strengthening Partnership” ,will discuss how aviation stakeholders can embrace change, strengthen partnership and enable growth for more robust and sustainable international civil aviation.

Since its inception in 2003, the Forum has served as a nexus for knowledge-sharing, bringing the international aviation community together in Singapore. This year’s Forum will see aviation leaders and experts discuss key issues such as upholding a high standard of aviation safety through strengthened partnership, enabling growth and building capacity to meet rising consumer demand, and how airlines can adapt to an increasingly complex operating environment. Speakers at the Forum include top officials from international and regional civil aviation organisations that are integral players in the aviation community.

In addition to the main Forum agenda, Singapore’s Group President of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and former Head of Civil Service, Mr Lim Siong Guan, will share Singapore’s experience in cultivating and investing in thought leadership during a breakfast talk on leadership and governance on the third day of the Forum.

Reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to meeting the human resource development needs of the international aviation community, Minister Lui and Mr Roberto Kobeh González will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Singapore and ICAO on the Developing Country Training Programme (DCTP), increasing the number of fellowships for aviation training, offered by Singapore to developing ICAO Contracting States, from 180 to 250 over three years from 2013 to 2015. The increase in fellowships will better cater to the demand for aviation training from developing countries.

In addition, six new Civil Aviation Scholarships for a seven-week long SAA Diploma programme in Civil Aviation Management will also be offered under the ICAO-Singapore DCTP, to help groom the next generation of aviation leaders and professionals, and provide them with the opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge in aviation management. The fellowships and scholarships are collectively estimated to be valued at US$2.2 million.

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to Grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation.

About the Singapore Aviation Academy

Founded in 1958, the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) is the training arm of CAAS. Over the past 50 years, SAA has established itself as a renowned centre of learning in aviation. It currently conducts over 100 different programmes annually in aviation management, air traffic services, aviation safety and security, and airport emergency services to address training needs of aviation professionals at all levels. In 2000, SAA was conferred the prestigious Edward Warner Award by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for its eminent contribution as a centre of excellence in international civil aviation training. To date, SAA has trained over 67,000 programme participants from more than 200 countries and territories.

Ms Michelle Teo
Senior Manager (Corporate Communications)
Email: michelle_teo@caas.gov.sg

Ms Satwinder Kaur
Assistant Director (Corporate Communications)
Email: satwinder_kaur@caas.gov.sg