NCAT invites aviation enthusiasts to its maiden Open Day

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has invited aviation enthusiasts in the country and across the West African sub-region to its maiden Open Day programme slated for Monday next week (May 27, 2019) at the college.

Rector of the college, Capt. Abdulsalami Muhammed, told correspondents that the management expects at least 1,500 guests at the occasion, as it would offer rich discussions on aeronautical studies, especially for intending aviation students.

Muhammed also said that the essence of the programme is to sensitise the public on the activities of the college, adding that several intending students were ignorant of the opportunities that abound in the aviation sector and how the college can be a catalyst to their dreams.

According to him, the programme, which is tagged: ‘Understanding What We Do Here,’ would be a dragnet for potential aviation professionals that will be groomed at the college in various capacities.

As a global practice, “the programme is open to all intending students across the country and other sub-regions of Africa, including undergraduates from other higher institutions of learning,” said Muhammed.

He disclosed that apart from piloting, NCAT also does training for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs), engineers and cabin crew, among others.

“We actually want the world to know about NCAT and its activities. We are the foremost aviation college in this country and indeed on the continent, but unfortunately, some people especially parents and students are still ignorant of the several courses we offer in this institution.

“To many, NCAT is all about piloting and nothing else, but we have to create awareness and let them know that we do more than piloting. There are many potential aviation professionals out there that don’t know much about out activities. We hope to change that orientation with the Open Day that will take place on Monday May 27, 2019 at the college,” he said.

It would be recalled that NCAT, in 2018, was recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as an institution with the highest number of instructors in the world for the third year running and a Regional Training Center of Excellence.

 The award was conferred on the college at the Global Aviation Training (GAT) and TRAINAIR PLUS symposium gala night held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The certification was the outcome of exhaustive statistical inspection of NCAT training facilities, instructional staff, course content and programmes, by a team of GAT experts.

By this recognition, also, the ICAO Global Aviation Training (GAT) further gives NCAT more allocations and approval to conduct additional courses.