Singapore Concludes Agreements to Advance International Aviation Development

New agreements elevate aviation security leadership training and air traffic management research using engineering systems and design science

Singapore today signed two agreements affirming its commitment to contribute to the advancement of international civil aviation. The agreements were signed at the opening session of the World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum (WCACEF) held at the Singapore Aviation Academy.

Mr Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore, delivering his opening address at the WCACEF.

Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of ICAO, delivering his keynote address at the WCACEF.

Partnering ICAO to develop aviation leadership and human capital globally
Singapore and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded Annex 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Leadership and Management Training. The agreement details the arrangements for the joint development and delivery of a 2-day executive programme on aviation security targeted at Directors-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It was signed by Mr Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore, and Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of ICAO.

The aviation security programme will equip aviation leaders with the latest developments on the international civil aviation security framework and its underlying principles, to effectively manage aviation security. Seven runs of the programme will be conducted at locations worldwide from 2018 to 2020.

The upcoming programme follows the successful series of aviation safety programmes for DGCAs under Annex 1 of the MOU. Eight runs of this programme were held in Canada (ICAO Headquarters), Cabo Verde, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore and 

Turkey between 2014 and 2017 and attended by over 160 senior aviation officials from more than 90 countries.

(from left to right) Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of ICAO, and Mr Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore, sign an agreement on the joint development and delivery of a 2-day executive programme on aviation security.

Advancing research for the benefit of Singapore and the Asia Pacific region
An MOU on research collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was signed today. The agreement was signed by Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General, CAAS and Prof Chong Tow Chong, Provost, SUTD.

The MOU provides the framework for both organisations to collaborate and engage in the following areas:

i. Research: To conduct world-class policy research on aviation and air traffic management (ATM) topics such as international aviation governance, ATM economics, aviation technologies, and the future development of ATM. SUTD will also apply engineering systems and design science[1] to study the complexities faced by the aviation industry. This knowledge will be shared with governments, international bodies and the aviation community to stimulate discussions on the sustainability of aviation growth.

ii. Innovation: To examine multidisciplinary issues and develop insights & solutions to challenges faced by the aviation community. The organisations will work with different stakeholders to holistically develop fresh policy perspectives on how the industry can continue to innovate and leverage technology to realise its full potentials.

iii. Talent: To nurture a pool of local and global experts in Singapore and build up a pipeline of researchers who can contribute to aviation and ATM development in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.

The MOU will also allow for partnerships with third parties, including foreign entities, to inject global perspectives to the work undertaken.

Mr Shum said, “This is the first collaboration established by CAAS that systematically studies the wider context of the policy challenges of the increasingly challenging and complex aviation system. It takes our work in ATM research to the next level. It will enable us to move beyond operational and technical research in ATM to also look at interdisciplinary research and critical analysis of the broader aviation policies. I am confident that the research will deliver fresh ideas and offer breakthrough solutions to the benefit of the aviation industry.”

Prof Chong said, “SUTD is pleased to contribute to CAAS and Singapore’s efforts in advancing ATM research and development. Through SUTD’s unique design-centric multi-disciplinary education and research in products, systems and services, we will work closely with CAAS to develop relevant talents and intellectual capital that will contribute to the growth and transformation of the aviation industry in Singapore and the region.”

(from left to right) Prof Chong Tow Chong, Provost, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), sign an MOU on research collaboration.

Enclosed:
Annex A: Opening Address by Mr Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore

Annex B: Keynote Address by Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of ICAO

Annex C: Fact Sheet on WCACEF

[1] Engineering systems science looks at the interconnectivity between products, processes, services and systems, in their social and economic context. Design science is concerned with the processes that lead to innovation in this realm, covering the full value chain from conception, development, prototyping, marketing, manufacturing, profitability, maintenance and sustainability.

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. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg

About the Singapore Aviation Academy
Established in 1958, the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) is the internationally-recognised training arm of CAAS. It offers a wide range of operational, management and leadership programmes through its four Schools viz Aviation Management, Aviation Safety and Security, Air Traffic Services and Airport Emergency Services. In 2013 and 2014, SAA was designated an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre and ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence respectively. To date, SAA has trained over 110,000 participants from more than 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.saa.com.sg

About the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
ICAO is a UN specialised agency, established by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). ICAO works with the Convention’s 191 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector. These SARPs and policies are used by ICAO Member States to ensure that their local civil aviation operations and regulations conform to global norms, which in turn permits more than 100,000 daily flights in aviation’s global network to operate safely and reliably in every region of the world. For more information, visit www.icao.int

About the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
SUTD is Singapore’s fourth public university, and one of the first universities in the world to incorporate the art and science of design and technology into a multi-disciplinary curriculum. SUTD was established in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and seeks to advance knowledge and nurture technically-grounded leaders and innovators to serve societal needs.

Also in collaboration with Zhejiang University, Singapore Management University and the National University of Singapore, SUTD, a research-intensive university, is distinguished by its unique East and West academic programmes which incorporate elements of entrepreneurship, management and design thinking. Graduate opportunities include the SUTD Technology Entrepreneurship programme, the Master of Science in Security by Design, and various SUTD PhD programmes. www.sutd.edu.sg

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