Coventry University (UK) is celebrating its first group of high-flying graduates, as this year sees the first cohort of students to be awarded a BSc (Hons) degree in Aviation Management.

The course was introduced in 2008 by the Faculty of Engineering and Computing and gives students insight and valuable hands-on experience from partnership working and placement opportunities with organisations in the industry. Following the graduation ceremony at Coventry Cathedral, on Thursday 24 November 2011, three special industry awards were presented to outstanding students by professional partners Coventry Airport, Birmingham Airport and TUI Travel PLC, at an event held in The Hub, the new heart of the University campus.

Ashley Bannister received the Coventry Airport Prize for the Best Degree Student, based on his final year performance; while Alexander Smith gained a double accolade, being awarded the Birmingham Airport Prize for Outstanding Overall Performance and the TUI UK and Ireland Prize for Best Final Year Project, for his thesis on reducing aircraft fuel burn and CO2 emissions. Coventry University’s Senior Lecturer in Aviation Management, Jenni Fernando said: “Coventry University is delighted to have such a close working relationship with Coventry Airport, Birmingham Airport and TUI Travel PLC. The programme of site visits, work placements and graduate employment provided by our industry partners is of huge benefit to the students and really places them one step ahead for their chosen career paths.”

Birmingham Airport Community Affairs Manager, Andy Holding commented: “It is vital for the future of aviation in the Midlands that high-calibre individuals are committed to joining our industry. Birmingham Airport is delighted to recognise Alexander Smith’s achievements and the growing reputation of the BSc Aviation Management course at Coventry University.

“In return for hosting visits and supporting academic staff with our own experience and expertise, we’ve directly benefitted from the quality of teaching that the University provides, through hosting work-experience placements where students have been able to provide invaluable additional research capacity. More recently we’ve employed our first graduate from the course.”

Coventry Airport’s Business Development Manager, Marc Watkins said: “Coventry Airport is delighted to give the prestigious award for Best Degree Student to Ashley Bannister, at the start of what will surely be a flourishing career in aviation. In addition to sponsoring this award and supporting aviation students at their graduation ceremony, Coventry Airport has had three student interns over the last year.

“It was a natural choice for Coventry Airport to partner up with the University when looking for student interns to help the Airport forward in its growth and development; and these students have been a great asset to the Airport and are a credit to Coventry University and its scholastic values. Both parties have genuinely benefited from this relationship, with students gaining relevant work experience to bolster their CVs, and the Airport having access to the fresh innovative thinking that comes from working with members of a course such as this.”

Students who wish to further their knowledge of the aviation industry can apply for postgraduate courses at Coventry University, choosing from either an Air Transport Management MSc or Aviation Management MBA, or graduates may embark on research studies at the end of their BSc course. Website

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 1st December 2011 | Issue #153

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