SYD100 scholarship to boost Australian aviation education
UNSW Sydney and Sydney Airport are teaming up for a century to support聽under-represented groups in aviation.
Published on the 27 Jul 2020 by UNSW Media
Next generation of aviation leaders: Manmeet Kaur, the recipient of the inaugural SYD100 scholarship, and Geoff Culbert, CEO of Sydney Airport.
Manmeet Kaur is the inaugural recipient of the four-year SYD100 aviation scholarship聽to study at UNSW Sydney鈥檚 School of Aviation.
The SYD100 scholarship was announced by Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert at the airport鈥檚 centenary gala dinner last year and聽will award聽one full scholarship every year for the next 100 years.
鈥淪ydney Airport has been at the core of Australia鈥檚 aviation story for more than a century and through that time we鈥檝e seen it all 鈥 economic shocks, world wars, and now a pandemic,鈥 Mr Culbert said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e emerged stronger through every challenge and that goes to the heart of what the SYD100 scholarship is all about, creating an even stronger aviation industry over the next century.
鈥淭he SYD100 scholarship will focus on bringing more diversity to the next generation of aviation leaders. It provides under-represented groups in our industry with access to the education they need, including people with diverse cultural backgrounds, women and Indigenous students.
鈥淢anmeet is an incredibly worthy inaugural recipient and her passion and dedication to aviation bodes really well for a bright future in our industry.鈥
Ms Kaur is a first-year aviation management student at UNSW.聽She migrated to Australia from India with her family six years ago, attended high school in Western Australia and is an ex-Cadet Under Officer in the Australian Air Force Cadets.
鈥淭he thrill of flying is what draws me to aviation,鈥 Ms Kaur said.
鈥淚鈥檝e been involved in civil and military aviation both through my family and my time in the cadets. This scholarship means a lot to me and brings me immense positivity, especially during times of a global pandemic.鈥
Professor Gabriel Lodewijks, Head of UNSW School of Aviation, said the University was thrilled to receive a century of support from Sydney Airport, highlighting the significance of aviation in Australia.
鈥淭here will always be a need for a strong aviation industry in Australia, quite simply due to our size and location in the world,鈥 Professor Lodewijks said.
鈥淭he next 100 years in aviation will move at a very rapid pace and it鈥檚 crucial to ensure the next generation is properly prepared for what鈥檚 ahead. The challenge will be finding the right balance between technology and social interaction for passengers, as well as students understanding how technology is best used within the industry.
鈥淲e鈥檙e also pleased that Sydney Airport shares our strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, providing practical support to under-represented groups in the aviation industry.鈥
Mr Culbert echoed the importance of investing in the sector.
鈥淎viation is full of very passionate people and the current crisis hasn鈥檛 changed that. This scholarship is a vital long-term investment in the industry and we鈥檙e proud to be supporting the next generation of leaders in aviation,鈥 he said.