The Federal Government has confirmed once more that the projected African Aviation and Aerospace University’s academic programs will start in September of this year.
While signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nile University of Nigeria on behalf of the federal government for the start of the institution’s academic activities in 2023–2024, Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika made this known on Wednesday in Abuja.
Sirika had previously stated that the African Aviation and Aerospace University would begin accepting applications on September 26 and run through November 18, 2022. He emphasized that the institution will start academic activities by offering BSc degrees in Aviation Business and Meteorology, noting that this will help close the research and development gaps in the aviation industry.
He also mentioned that the university has hired its management staff and created an academic brief adding that there are plans to privatise the university in the future for greater effectiveness.
He said, “The university ought to have happened a long time ago because it is part of our roadmap in 2016 that was approved by the president and this is just to go straight into research and development in civil aviation and aerospace and of course environmental sciences.
“This university has received attention all over the world. The first of its kind in Africa and by the grace of God, it would be one of the top universities in the world. I’m also very sure that we may even go into aviation medicine in the near future.
“It is dedicated to those core mandates of aerospace aviation and environmental sciences. It is intended to attend to the huge demands we have in this sub-region of ours and indeed continentally especially as Africa is looking to unite, integrate and become one entity in all fields and human endeavours.
He added, “I’m happy to say that the academic brief has been developed, the management staff has been employed and of course, it will be governed by the Federal Government but will be owned and operated by the private sector through PPP arrangement.”
“I’m sure in the long run, it will end up being truly private sector but the government needs to ground it fully to ensure that the take-off does not suffer any hitch.
“The university will run both physical and online courses. These days, universities are turning virtual and we will begin with the Bsc Aviation Business and Bsc Meteorology and of course, continue to grow. Also, not too far from now, we will be getting approval from NUC to commence Master of Science in Aviation Management.
“Nile will provide support for the undergraduate programme for the first two years and it is expected that more research and collaboration will be established between the AAAN and NUN.”
He further stated that many countries, universities, and organisations around the world including the International Civil Aviation Organisation have indicated interest to partner with the aviation university and offer some support.
The vice chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Prof. Dilli Dogo, in his reaction, pledged full support to the aviation university with all it requires for a smooth take-off.
Dogo lauded the minister for the initiative saying that the minister and his team were determined to see that the university would take off as soon as possible.
“The initial plan was that it will take off in the 2022/2023 academic session but because of bureaucracies of government processes, it was not possible to complete the due process required for us to actualisé what we started.
“The initial understanding which is subsisting is the fact that 100 and 200 and part of 300 level academic activities take place here and the rest will take place in NiMet and part of it will take place in the school of Aviation Kaduna, Zaria.
“To us, we are privileged and indeed pleased to be part of this momentous occasion and we look forward to actively participating in the delivery of this brand new university that seeks to positively impact Nigerians and indeed the African continent.”
Discussion about this post