Career Flight

Students are flocking to Nilai UC's Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

Nilai University College (Nilai UC) was established in 1997 and consists of six schools offering a variety of programmes. One programme that seems to have caught the imagination of school leavers is the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
Designed to fill the demand created by the booming aviation and travel industries worldwide, students from Nilai UC's programmes will be trained in the essentials of servicing and maintaining modern aircraft before embarking on a six-month on-the-job training at one the institution's industry partners. (these include Dnest, GGIFA, Berjaya Air, Integrated Aviation Academy, KLAS, Sabah Air, Subang General Aviation Sdn Bhd, and Systematic Aviation Services).
Given the demand for such qualified and skilled specialists, those who excel during the internships stand a very good chance of being offered a full-time position even before they graduate. Nilai UC's Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance programme co-ordinator Virender Singh Dahiya explains the continued fascination among young men and women for this particular course.

What is your background?

I am an air force veteran and have over two decades' hands on experience in the field of aircraft maintenance engineering. Areas of speciality include Type instructor, Aircraft Maintenance Training and Evaluation, Aircraft Maintenance Scheduling and Planning, Aircraft Structural Inspection and Repair, and Operations Management.

How has Nilai UC's Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme developed since its launch 2007?

Nilai UC aspires to become the premier aviation training institution specialising in aircraft maintenance engineering. The curriculum for the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme is based on the EASA Part 66 B1.1 (Aeroplane Jet Engine). This two years and six months programme prepares you for the Part 66 Cat B1.1 examination that is recognised internationally. (see http://www.easa.europa.eu/%3C/)
Our practice-oriented teaching strategy requires our student to apply their knowledge rather than just memorising them. In the view of this, we have built an aircraft hangar, and a turboprop aircraft for hands on training is the hall mark of our infrastructure. Our Electrical/Electronic Laboratories and Mechanical Workshops are well equipped to support the teaching and learning process. Many of our faculty members are those with vast aviation industrial experience, with professional and academic qualifications required to help and guide our students in their development.

As competition for places get tougher with increasing demand, what advice can you give secondary school students looking to pursue Nilai UC's Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme?

I would strongly suggest students who are serious about this programme to brush up on their maths and physics. These are essential components of the programme. Students should also start focusing their mind on being disciplined as this is a tough programme which prepares you for an industry where mistakes are not tolerated.

Do potential students to this programme need to come from a Science background and what are the subjects they must be strong in?

Yes, as mentioned above, maths and physics are essential as engineers apply principles from these fields to analyse, evaluate and find suitable solutions.

One of the chief concerns of parents is whether there will be adequate employment opportunities for their children after graduating from the programme. What are your opinions?

The aviation industry has been developing very rapidly and is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Travelling by air is no longer the preserve of the wealthy and is part of modern life. I can assure parents and students of this programme that employment opportunities in this field are very promising, not just in Malaysia but globally.

In your view, what do employers look for when recruiting staff?

Aircraft maintenance engineer must do careful and thorough work that requires a high degree of mechanical aptitude. Employers seek applicants who are self-motivated, hard working, enthusiastic, and able to diagnose and solve complex mechanical problems. Agility is important for the reaching and climbing necessary to do the job. Because they may work on the tops of wings and fuselages on large jet planes, aircraft maintenance engineer must not be afraid of heights.
It's a misconception that physical strength is all-important. The need for agility and flexibility is more important and that's why so many young ladies are doing very well in this programme.

What about students who opt to do just the diploma and not do the EASA licence exams? What are their prospects?

The qualification pursued at Nilai UC is the first step in their career to be a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. The aircraft maintenance engineer has one of engineering's most responsible positions. It is this engineer who decides whether or not an aircraft is fit to fly. This decision determines the safety of the plane and life of the crew and passengers.
In order to reach this position engineers must hold one of two specific aircraft maintenance license. These are classified as B1 that covers Aeroplanes/Engine Systems, and the B2 that covers Electrical, Instrument, Auto Pilot, Radio and Radar. The students, who opt to do just the diploma and not do the EASA licence exams, have the opportunities to work as a technician under supervision of an aircraft maintenance engineer.

For some, it is an entirely new experience getting their hands dirty. How do you teach students to be comfortable working with their hands?

During hands on training on our own aircraft at the Nilai UC hangar and in the workshop session, students are drilled in standard maintenance practices. After a few months, grease and oil will be part of their scent.

Nilai UC is offering this programme in collaboration with Kingston University, UK and the Civil Aviation Authority International Ltd (CAAi), UK. Can you please elaborate?

CAA International is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the independent examiners for the EASA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's License exams which are conducted here at our campus. Having such an esteemed organisation conduct the exams is one of the reasons why the qualification is highly regarded and much sought after. It also means students no longer have to incur huge expenses to sit for these exams in Europe. Kingston University is our academic partner and its engineering faculty furnish us with the syllabus which prepares students for the EASA exams.

What do you say to parents and their children to convince them into enrolling into Nilai UC's Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme?

There are many factors to consider in choosing a university and a programme, amongst which are quality, recognition, affordability, intellectual stimulation, full accreditation from local and overseas authorities, and cultural enrichment. The Nilai UC satisfies all above-mentioned qualities. Both our academic and administrative staffs are here to manage students from over 40 countries creating a dynamic environment for cultural cross-pollination and enrichment.
The Nilai UC diploma and the internationally recognised IR Part 66 License equip you with the requisite theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and know-how on aircraft maintenance.
Our comprehensive training programme is complying with technical standard and industry requirement; its graduates will be able to meet the demand of current and future aircraft maintenance engineers.Rest assured, skilled and qualified aircraft maintenance engineers are very much in demand and those with experience can expect to be well rewarded for that know-how.

Nilai UC is located in the picturesque suburb of Putra Nilai and is a mere 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and a further half an hour from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Students are free to pursue their higher education in a quiet and green campus away from distractions of the big city. For more information, kindly visit www.nilai.edu.my or call 06-8502338/03-79603089/07-2262336