Regional students may soon get an opportunity to pursue studies in aviation management and widen their career scope in the airline travel sector.
Dr. Jeanese Badenock, Dean of the Faculty of Science, UWI Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, disclosed that a new arrangement with Inter Caribbean Airways will benefit students in the long run.
The UWI official explained that a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the UWI and Inter Caribbean Airways is seen as an opportunity to not only “create values from our ideas, but also to link people and opportunities.”
Additionally, she said, this year the UWI Cave Hill campus in collaboration with Inter Caribbean Airways will award annually, five scholarships to undergraduate students from the region.
“These scholarships aim to support the development of future leaders in the Caribbean Aviation industry, honouring the memory of Mr. Mandeville Gardener and creating a robust talent pipeline for Inter Caribbean Airways,” the UWI official stated.
Dr. Badenock explained that the awards will be based on financial needs and academic performance and will provide “deserving students” an opportunity to pursue studies in select majors in the Faculty of Sciences.
She said the courses will cover subject areas, such as entrepreneurship, hospitality, international relations, and tourism management among other fields “with an opportunity to pursue higher education and gain valuable experience through internship with Inter Caribbean Airways”.
In addition, said Dr. Badenock, the UWI Cave Hill campus is finalizing a “highly anticipated” course in BSc. in Aviation Management with a Pilot’s License.
The course is being facilitated in collaboration with Canadian Aviation Electronics, and the Barbados Aircraft Aviation Services Ltd.
“This programme will offer students rigorous and analytical technology in the fundamentals of business and general management in four subject areas, while students attend (complementary) schooling in the USA,” she said.
This programme is much needed in the Caribbean region and will utilize a hybrid model.
“The university remains committed to fostering partnerships and collaboration and are always there to engage with the private sector partners
to leverage our knowledge and expertise for the benefit of their businesses,” Dr. Badenock noted.
“Together we can forge a brighter future in the Caribbean, one that defines connectivity, opportunity and prosperity for all,” she said.