WOMEN in aircraft maintenance engineering?
The idea would have raised a fair bit of eyebrows decades ago, but over the centuries, remarkable women like Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Harriet Quimby have changed the cause of history.
What’s more, the Malaysian education system which provides equal education opportunities to all citizens have encouraged more women to venture into the field of aviation and engineering.
The Malaysian education system which provides equal education opportunities to all have encouraged more women venturing into the field of aviation and engineering.
At Nilai University, six young women from the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme courageously pursued the course that would most likely lead to a male-dominated profession – aircraft maintenance engineering.
The Malaysian education system which provides equal education opportunities to all have encouraged more women venturing into the field of aviation and engineering.
Women are making a foray into the male-dominated field of aircraft maintenance engineering.
Making a choice
Jamie Goh Yi Lian, a final year student in the Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, says she prefers a technically challenging job and can’t see herself working in a desk-bound post.
“I have a knack for solving technical problems, so this may be the best career path for me, ” she says.
While her coursemates Rinisha Nehru Thiaku and Elma Emily Young have always wanted to pursue a degree in engineering, both were inspired by their uncles to enrol in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme.
Women are making a foray into the male-dominated field of aircraft maintenance engineering.
Ong Ee Ching, a second-year student in the Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, has been curious about the aircraft systems since childhood. “How does an aircraft take off, land safely and stabilises on air?”
However, one cannot deny that the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme is male-dominant.
“My uncle cautioned me that this profession might pose challenges for women, but I like the challenge, ” declares Rinisha, a final year student of the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. “I believe that with hard work and knowledge, I will gain the due respect from my peers.”
Qualification
With equal merits, students from a science or non-science stream may enrol in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programmes offered by Nilai University.
SPM students should meet the following entry requirements:
1. Three credits in English, Mathematics, and Physics or Science.
2. Passed Bahasa Malaysia.
3. Passed Sejarah.
Also, students should be medically fit and have excellent eyesight and hearing with no colour blindness and hearing impairment.
Recognition
While a good dose of positivity applies to any success, knowledge and skill is equally significant. Since its inception in 2008, the Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (DAME) offered at Nilai University incorporates the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) syllabus, preparing students for EASA Part 66 category B1.1 and B2 licence examinations.
Students will sit for an EASA licence examination simultaneously while pursuing the diploma. It is the first step in gaining a full EASA licence.
The conducive learning environment and facilities at Nilai University is among the best in the country, complete with its purpose-built hangar that has two aircraft.
Wan Kah Mun heard about Nilai University’s established reputation and enrolled soon after she visited the university to enquire further about the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
Students who have completed their Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering may either go into employment or pursue their Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Engineering Technology.
In the advanced diploma level, after a year students who complete the programme will receive dual awards – a BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University alongside the Advanced Diploma from Nilai University.
Over and on top of this, students will undergo six months on-the-job training with Air Asia or Air Asia-X.
Jamie and Kah Mun also feel that the pleasant campus environment and lush greenery at Nilai University is the best place to focus on their studies.
Forging ahead despite all odds
Students will complete both diploma and an advanced diploma in 3½ years and then must accumulate another five years of working experience in maintaining, repairing and overhauling of aircraft before applying for EASA Part 66 Basic Licence. The journey to becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer may test your resilience.
Kow Yoong Huei, a second-year student in the Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, would ask those who have completed their SPM to ponder their decisions carefully.
“Can you imagine yourself as an aircraft maintenance technician or engineer working on odd-hour shifts? Also working under extreme heat, being sweaty, dirty and facing gender issues at work, with possibly an unattractive starting salary, would you endure and pursue this career?” questioned Yoong Huei.
Jamie advises that when choosing an educational institution to pursue this course, the institution has industry recognition. Also, the lecturers should have diverse experience to share in maintaining a variety of aircraft; commercial or military.
Ee Ching adds that the programme should equip graduates with knowledge and qualification to be in supervisory roles too. The Diploma and Advanced Diploma with a top-up UK degree from Kingston University offer students the flexibility to either pursue a career as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or to move on quickly to supervisory and management roles.
Scholarship
Nilai University offers six types of scholarships. Some outstanding young minds include Rinisha (Extra Curriculum & Sports Excellence Award); Yoong Huei and Elma (Merit Scholarship); and Jamie (Enrichment for Life).
If you are interested in any of the scholarships offered, please inquire with Nilai University’s educational counsellors. Nilai University offers both business and science-based degrees and is open daily except on weekends and public holidays.
Call 06-850 2308 for an appointment or click on www.nilai.edu.my or visit its campus in Nilai.
