Pune varsity to offer postgraduate course in aviation

University of Pune (UOP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Germany-based pilot training and flight institute to offer a two-year postgraduate course in aviation starting September 1.

The course, which will award M.Tech (Aviation) degree for students with eligibility of BE or B.Tech, envisages on site aviation training at the institute's facility in Germany for three semesters in addition to a six month study at the UOP's department of technology.

The students returning to India after their on site training at the flight school in Germany, FFL, will be asked to undergo tests by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to secure an Indian flying license. Talks with DGCA on the proposal were in progress, said Vice chancellor of UOP Vasudeo Gade.

The degree would also entitle the students to apply for a European flying license on approval from the German aviation regulator, he added.

Representatives of FFL including its chief executive officer Ulrich Langenecker were present on the occasion of signing of the MoU at UOP, who noted that the demand for trained pilots would increase considerably in view of the growing aviation industry, adding that the onsite training of UOP students in Germany will also involve soft skills, ground studies and team building activities.

In order to facilitate visas and work permits for the aspiring UOP students, the FFL has approached the German embassy in New Delhi to provide earning opportunities for them while pursuing their studies in Germany, the officials said.

Gade said the new M.Tech course will not only involve pilot training but also the engineering aspects to facilitate job opportunities in flying as well as ground engineering and allied services.

The UOP's affiliation with FFL will add a new dimension to the university's future vision, he said, adding the students will be undergoing an extensive 800 hours of flying exercises and will provide a trained manpower to the country's aviation industry.

The two-year course will have an estimated fees amounting to 70,000 euro, approximately Rs 55 lakh, in addition to the expenses on account stay in Germany.