Singapore Strengthens Cooperation with ICAO in Leadership and Management Training

Singapore and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in leadership and management training. The MOU was signed by the Singapore Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew and President of the Council of ICAO, Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu at the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit 2014 dinner held at the Raffles City Convention Centre today.

The MOU provides an overarching framework for collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and its training arm, the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), and ICAO on the development and organisation of leadership and management training for aviation leaders, senior management and professionals. This is the third training-related MOU Singapore has inked with ICAO. The first is the MOU on Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme (DCTP) which was concluded in 2001. It was further extended and expanded over the years and provides training fellowships and scholarships to aviation personnel from developing countries. To date, over 620 training fellowships and 5 scholarships have been awarded by the Singapore Government for SAA courses under the DCTP. The second MOU was signed in 2010, which established the ICAO-Singapore Aviation Security Leadership and Management Seminar. The latest MOU will further enhance Singapore’s contribution to human capital development for international civil aviation through training and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.  An executive programme on aviation safety targeted at Directors General of Civil Aviation is being developed, with the inaugural programme planned to take place in the later half of 2014.

"This cooperative agreement will help ICAO and Singapore to bring an increased level of focus to global and regional civil aviation training needs over the near-term," Aliu remarked, "both for improved learning and human capital development opportunities."

Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of CAAS, said,"Singapore is a strong advocate of developing aviation leadership and human capital, which are key to addressing the challenges facing global aviation with its rapid growth. Singapore’s partnership with ICAO in leadership and management training affirms our commitment to contribute in a meaningful way to advancing international civil aviation."

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) 
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.

Website: www.caas.gov.sg

About the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) 
Founded in 1958, the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) is the training arm of CAAS that has established itself as a renowned centre of learning in aviation. With four specialised schools  - School of Aviation Management, School of Aviation Safety and Security, School of Air Traffic Services and School of Airport Emergency Services, SAA continuously introduces new programmes to address the needs of aviation professionals at all stages of their careers. In 2000, SAA was conferred the prestigious Edward Warner Award by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for its eminent contribution as a centre of excellence in international civil aviation training. To date, SAA has trained more than 80,000 participants from 200 countries and territories.

Website: www.saa.com.sg

For more information, please contact:

Ms Nadine Kang
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications)
Tel: (65) 6541 2085
Mobile: (65) 9617 7699
Fax: (65) 6542 0246
Email: nadine_kang@caas.gov.sg