SUSS and Singapore Flying College launch first undergraduate integrated pathway programme for aspiring pilots to support Singapore’s global aviation hub ambition
- The new four-year SUSS-SFC Integrated Pathway Programme enables aspiring pilots to attain a bachelor’s degree and qualify for a commercial pilot licence concurrently.
Singapore, 8 October 2024 - The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Singapore Flying College (SFC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), jointly launched today a new part-time undergraduate pathway programme targeted at aspiring pilots. An industry first, the SUSS-SFC Integrated Pathway Programme (IPP) offers a streamlined learning pathway to help aspiring pilots attain a bachelor’s degree and a commercial pilot licence in parallel.
The programme was announced by Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, during SUSS Convocation 2024, which was held for the first time at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The SUSS-SFC IPP aims to provide quality, holistic education for future aviation leaders by offering a balanced academic curriculum alongside pilot training. Graduates of this programme will be conferred a bachelor’s degree in their specialised domain, culminating in the qualification towards a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) within four years of study.
Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS, said, “The pioneering Integrated Pathway Programme provides unique benefits to address the current talent needs of the aviation sector while grooming future interdisciplinary industry leaders. Together with our experienced faculty and industry partners such as Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Flying College, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive, industry-relevant programmes for learners looking to launch their careers in the aviation sector. SUSS will continue to deepen our strong linkages with the aviation industry and elevate Singapore’s efforts to be a global aviation hub.”
Captain Eugene C Antoni, Chairman, Singapore Flying College, said, “Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Flying College have collaborated with the Singapore University of Social Sciences to create this unique pathway, enabling undergraduates to simultaneously earn a bachelor’s degree and a commercial pilot licence. This programme will equip them with the essential skills and expertise for a rewarding career in the airline industry, while helping to maintain Singapore’s position as a leading aerospace hub.”
SUSS-SFC Integrated Pathway Programme – Grooming future aviation leaders
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has projected that by 2026, the aviation industry will need 480,000 technicians and 350,000 pilots to operate the growing airline commercial fleet worldwide1. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international passenger traffic is projected to double by 20402, with much of the growth coming from the Asia Pacific, including Singapore, which has seen a strong post-pandemic recovery.
The IPP builds upon the expertise of SUSS and SFC to equip future aviation leaders with the required knowledge, skills, and attributes required to meet the growing demands of the industry. It is in line with CAAS’ push to build new pathways and pipelines to develop the next generation of aviation professionals, supporting the continued growth and development of the Singapore air hub.
Ms Angela Ng, Director, Aviation Industry, CAAS, said, “The aviation industry is constantly seeking new talents to power its growth. We welcome and encourage such win-win collaborations between industry and Institutes of Higher Learning to provide students seeking a career in aviation a clear pathway to pursue their aspirations.”
The IPP follows earlier launched programmes in March 2023 which were jointly developed by SUSS and SFC – the Master of Management for SIA pilots and Minor in Aviation Management for full-time and part-time undergraduates. It offers an expedited route, compressing an originally six-year journey (four years for the SUSS degree and two years of pilot training at SFC) into a four-year learning pathway.
Students may pursue the IPP with the following SUSS majors:
- Human Resource Management
- Information and Communication Technology
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Public Safety and Security
The list of SUSS majors is curated according to the desired attributes and skills of pilots from the Skills Framework for Air Transport3 by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Armed with a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills and knowledge fundamentals from their chosen SUSS major, on top of the world-class pilot training modules curated by SFC experts, graduates from the programme are not only prepared to become pilots but are also well-positioned for career advancement to various business leadership and management levels in the aviation industry and beyond.
The SUSS-SFC IPP will be offered as a part-time undergraduate programme from July 2025. Applications open today, 8 October 2024.
For more information, please visit: https://www.suss.edu.sg/part-time-undergraduate/SUSS-SingaporeFlyingCollege-IPP
1 https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-Addresses-Shortage-of-Skilled-Aviation-Professionals.aspx2 https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/global-outlook-for-air-transport---december-2023---report/3 https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/docs/default-source/skills-framework/skillsfuture_skillsframework-for-air-transport-book-for-online-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=6ec11dd3_3---
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Singapore University of Social Sciences
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Mr Edward Poh
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Singapore University of Social Sciences
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About Singapore University of Social Sciences
At SUSS, we have a singular vision to be a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives, regardless of age, background or life path. Our university is a vibrant tapestry of ages and experiences. From recent JC and polytechnic graduates to seasoned professionals, parents seeking new horizons and individuals redefining their careers in their golden years—our diverse community comes together for one common goal: to empower themselves with an education that impacts lives and society.
We offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programmes, available in full- and part-time study modes which are flexible, modular and interdisciplinary, catering to both fresh school leavers and adult learners. SUSS also offers a broad range of continuing education and training modular courses for the professional skills upgrading of Singapore’s workforce.
To date, over 47,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 21,000 students are currently pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), as part of SUSS, leads in the field of research on adult and workplace learning and training of adult educators to build capabilities of the training and adult education sector in Singapore and beyond.
For more information about SUSS, please visit www.suss.edu.sg.
About Singapore Flying College
Founded in 1988, Singapore Flying College (SFC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA) with the aim of providing the highest standards of training to produce world-class pilots. Headquartered at the SIA Training Centre in Singapore, SFC expanded to its Western Australia base at Jandakot in 1990. For more information on SFC, please visit www.sfcpl.com.