From Singapore to Daytona Beach: Embry-Riddle Asia Student Soars

Vijayakumar, president of the SGA at Embry-Riddle’s Asia Campus in Singapore, recently visited the Daytona Beach Campus (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Sreenath Vijayakumar)

Sreenath “Sree” Vijayakumar has many fond memories of his recent visit to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, but one of the highlights was getting a bird’s-eye view of the Kennedy Space Center.

“It was incredible,” said Vijayakumar, who is president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Embry-Riddle’s Asia Campus in Singapore. “I couldn’t resist snapping plenty of photos and videos.”

Even better, he was joined on the Cessna flight by two new friends he made on his visit: Ander Ander Turueno Garcia, the SGA president for the Daytona Beach Campus, and Christopher Sorensen, the SGA president for the Prescott Campus.

“We had the opportunity to talk about events and issues pertinent to our respective student bodies,” said Sorensen. “The Discovery Flight was an amazing experience, and, as an aerospace engineering major, it gave me the chance to observe the Embry-Riddle experience through the lens of our amazing Aeronautical Science students, all while enjoying the beauty of Florida.”

The SGA presidentsagreed that the experience allowed them to get to know each other and their respective organizations better. They also saw opportunities to foster future collaboration across campuses.

“Meeting the other SGA Presidents was truly meaningful,” said Vijayakumar, who is majoring in Aeronautics with a concentration in Air Traffic Control. “Not only did I get to connect with them on a personal level, but I also learned a lot from hearing about their SGA plans, challenges and unique approaches.”

A Shared Passion for Aviation

From touring the campus to attending a Board of Trustees meeting, Vijayakumar received a warm welcome during his visit. He said he was impressed by the variety of labs and simulators and struck by the sheer size of the Daytona Beach Campus.

“There is a lot of activity and students going here and there — and a lot of skateboards,” he said.

Vijayakumar, who aspires to become a pilot for Singapore Airlines, also found a shared passion for aviation.

“I’ve wanted to be a pilot since I was young,” he said. “I would be the first in my family.”

Born in India, Vijayakumar lived and attended school in Singapore as a child. He then went to high school in southern India, where he lived with his mother for a few years to care for family. 

“I really love cars, bikes, anything that moves,” he said. “I went to air shows in Singapore, and I also fly a lot to visit family in India and Singapore.”

After high school, Vijayakumar completed two years of required national service, serving in the Singapore Police Force. In 2023, he began his studies at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Asia Campus, where he also works as a student assistant. Additionally, he works part-time as a dispatch assistant in flight operations at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

“I don’t usually favor the spotlight,” he said. “But I am the kind of person who likes to take initiative and help.”

Besides heading up the SGA, Vijayakumar also participates in a mentorship program with Honeywell and recently earned his uncrewed aircraft pilot license.

Now, Vijayakumar said he hopes to take the knowledge he has gained and the contacts he has made on his visit to the Daytona Beach Campus back to Singapore to share with students there.

“I picked up some valuable ideas for our SGA in Singapore — like hosting late-night study sessions where SGA provides food and a dedicated space for students to focus on assignments and studying,” he said. “It’s definitely something I’d love to explore back at our campus.”

Posted In: Aviation