MAB Academy Joins Forces With APU To Reskill & Upskill Aviation Crews

This collaborative initiative also promotes industry-academia tech knowledge sharing

MAB Academy, a one-stop aviation and hospitality centre, recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Premier Digital Tech Institution – Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), as part of its efforts to future-proof and instil digital readiness within the workforce of its parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). This is in line with global trends where new technologies are changing work and labour patterns that will significantly change employees’ core skills. 

The partnership seeks to identify and implement upskilling initiatives for MAG employees to stay on top of emerging technology trends that can be applied to further improve its airlines and non-airlines services, particularly in areas of security, fuel efficiency, flight planning, and customer experience among others. 

This collaboration between both parties was formalised by Captain Kamarudin Kamilin, Chief Executive Officer, MAB Academy; and Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer, APU at APU’s campus, Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. 

Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer, APU (left) and Captain Kamarudin Kamilin, Chief Executive Officer, MAB Academy, formalised the collaboration through an MoU signing ceremony.

Captain Kamaruddin commented, “Together with APU, we will continue to heighten our efforts in building a robust talent ecosystem and enhancing the skills and capabilities of the workforce, especially in the aviation industry, aligned with the national agenda to enhance digitalisation, improve digital infrastructure, and build a more trusted and secure digital environment.” 

Concurring, Datuk Parmjit Singh said, “This is an interesting programme and I am excited to see the first collaboration between us and MAB Academy, for it is a starting point to sharpen our hired hands through micro-credentialing that can be accepted as credits for an academic degree, even up to the Masters’ level. I hope this relationship continues to reinforce APU's status as a Premier Digital Technology University as endorsed by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). In addition, the collaboration will also allow our students and staff the possibility of applying their skills and knowledge in technology and innovation, by working on joint research projects with MAB Academy.” 

Moving ahead, APU and MAB Academy will include micro-credential offerings – such as Leading Digital Business Transformation, Digital Strategy & Analytics, Digital Marketing, Digital Finance, Digital Thinking & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual / Augmented Reality (AR/VR), Security & Forensic Tech, Data Management – between the various tech-focused courses held, such as Professional Certificate in Digital Leadership, and  Professional Certificate in Digital Technology. 

At the same time, this valuable collaborative tie will also benefit graduating students from APU through opportunities for job placement at MAB Academy. 

A group picture of signatories and senior management representatives of MAB Academy and APU after the industry-academia collaboration was officially formalised.

The guests of honour from both sides for this ceremony included – MAB Academy’s Head of Training Captain Rohaizan Mohamad Rashid, Deputy Head of Training Captain Mohamad Khairul Ahmad Jahudi, Head of In-flight Services Melanie Joanne Xavier, Head of Shared Services Mas Nynna Wati Ahmad, Head of Strategic Planning & Business Development Mohammad Fariz Sharin Low; APU’s COO Gurpardeep Singh, CFO Mohd Helmy Norman, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, President Dr. Hari Narayanan, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman.