Embry-Riddle Asia Campus Students Stand Out at Aviation Training Conference

Continuing what has become a tradition at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Asia Campus, a group of students recently took part in a significant aviation training symposium that allowed them to network directly with key industry leaders and attend engaging and educational breakout presentations.

More than 15 Embry-Riddle students representing several degree programs participated in the 2024 Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS), the Asia Pacific region’s largest gathering of aviation trainers serving airlines, aircraft manufacturers, regulators, training providers and the overall training industry.

Designed by and for aviation professionals, APATS 2024 happened Sept. 10-12 at the Sands Convention Centre, Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Bay Sands. It was broken into categories that offered additional focus on training tracks for pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians and women in aviation.

Asia Campus Director of Student Success Kim Chua (second from left) was among the speakers
during the Women in Aviation panel event at the APATS conference. (Photo: Embry-Riddle).

A Chance to Open New Career Doors

On day one, the Embry-Riddle student team served as scribes for the Heads of Training meeting, and they also worked as greeters and ushers for the balance of the conference. The experience offered opportunities to make new connections and provided a front-row seat to discussions that focused on the future of aviation training.

For example, the students saw Kim Chua, Instructor of the Practice and Director of Student Success at the Asia Campus, when she participated in a maintenance track panel discussion focused on attracting, recruiting and retaining women and young people in aviation and STEM fields.

“Technology is a key leveler, and the industry is at the cusp of a major transformation driven by AI and automation, so we explored how we make these new roles available and attractive,” said Chua, who joined other panelists in sharing stories that celebrated how “passion triumphs” by dramatically changing perspectives.

“There needs to be a shift of mindset at the leadership level, so talents are seen as assets with unique strengths, values, and aspirations and not merely as resources,” said Chua, summarizing some additional takeaways from the discussion. “We have to portray STEM and STEM practitioners as the solution to some of the world's problems and show women and young people how they can be part of the solution.”

David Cirulli, Head of Flight Operations at the Asia Campus, presented “Next Steps in Aircraft Maintenance” at the APATS conference. (Photo: David Cirulli)

The Embry-Riddle students also had a chance to watch David Cirulli, Head of Flight Operations at the Asia Campus, as he was among three experts in a panel session called “Looking at the Future.” Cirulli’s presentation was entitled “Next Steps in Aircraft Maintenance” and was also part of the maintenance track at the event.

 “As aviation continues to reach new heights, it’s become increasingly apparent the need for community engagement,” said Cirulli. “Our real-world academic focus resonates with industry as did our presentation sharing latest business case methods for technology integration struck home with these Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional maintenance organizations.”

The student presence at such a prestigious industry event is another in a series of opportunities to build professional networks and practical experience that only Embry-Riddle’s Asia Campus can provide.

"Attending the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium provided me and my friends with an invaluable opportunity to immerse ourselves in the industry, connect with professionals, and gain firsthand insights into the latest advancements in aviation training,” said Sreenath Vijayakumar, a B.S. in Aeronautics major and President of the Student Government Association. “It’s experiences like these that truly set Embry-Riddle Asia Campus apart, allowing us to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, preparing us to become the future leaders of aviation.”

Ongoing Opportunities for Real-world Work

The recent event follows on the heels of participation in June’s International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association 2024 conference, where Embry‑Riddle students and faculty staffed a booth that showcased the university’s programs, new research initiatives and dedication to helping train tomorrow’s aerospace industry workforce.

“Working at our university's booth and engaging with industry professionals allowed me to gain valuable insights into the latest innovations in air traffic control technology,” said B.S. in Aeronautics major Ganesh Balashanmugam (’25). “This experience has broadened my understanding of the field and helped me build meaningful connections that I believe will be crucial for my future career in the aerospace industry.”

In March, a student team from Embry-Riddle was invited to the ICAO Innovation Fair in Montreal to showcase a digital navigation device they designed to help passengers navigate Singapore’s Changi airport.

Having the chance to create an interactive system and having that idea presented in front of the world’s top airline executives is another example of the opportunities a globally respected university like Embry‑Riddle can offer undergraduate students.

In November 2023, another group of students made a stellar showing at the Future Travel Experience APEX Asia event, a major aviation and aerospace industry trade show that focused on “Preparing for Tomorrow’s World.”

Jointly hosted by Future Travel Experience (FTE) and the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), that conference highlighted growing travel demand across the Asia Pacific region. It offered strategies to make the aviation industry “more resilient, sustainable and efficient,” key themes that sparked some inventive and pioneering research topics for Embry‑Riddle’s students to pursue and present.

Where could you go at Embry-Riddle’s Asia Campus?