Dinesh Kamath's news 'D Y Patil Univeristy Department of Business Management launches MBA in Aviation Management' that was published in Newsband

D Y Patil Univeristy Department of Business Management launches MBA in Aviation Management

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: The D Y Patil University Department of Business Management (DYPDBM) has recently launched a new program the MBA in Aviation Management in association with the airline industry. The MBA program is a two year full time program.

Dr. R. Gopal, Director, Dean and Head of the Department of Dr. D. Y. Patil University’s Department of Business Management, said, “The department has this year launched a new industry oriented program -- the MBA in Aviation Management Program. The program is UNIQUE and there does not seem to be any such programs in the country. The program aims at providing the airline sector with professionals trained in the aviation field. The job opportunities in this field are quite huge and well paying. By 2015, many new airlines, airport construction companies, airline software companies are likely to take off.

The discussions with the airline industry panel have all appreciated this program and some of them have promised to take these students at the end of the 2 year MBA program.”

With the recent growth in the airline industries and new airlines e.g. Jet-Ethihad Airways, Tata Singapore Airlines, Air Asia etc entering the Indian airfield, there is a need for a large number of professionals in addition to the need for large number of pilots and cabin crew personnel. Several aviation consultants like KPMG, Ernst and Young are also entering the field in a big way. Tata Honeywell, Mahindra Aerospace, IBM, Infosys, WIPRO, Kale Consultants HCL are some of the big names in this industry.  Additionally with the construction of new airports big and small all over the country and globally, international airport construction giants like Airport Authorities of India, Reliance Industries, GVK, GMR KIAL are gearing up to meet the challenges of this industry. Consequently, the demand for professionals in aviation management is only increasing. Further as can be seen Passenger and Cargo traffic has been increasing steadily in leaps and bounds. Domestic Passenger output increased from 73 million passengers in 2006 to 160 million passengers in 2012 and is likely to increase to 337 million passengers in the next 5 to 6 years. There is an almost double digit growth in the passenger and cargo traffic.

Job opportunities excluding pilots and cabin crew are aplenty. Most of these job opportunities are in the area of ground handling, software development, consultancy services, airport construction and management services etc.

Dr. Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil, Chairman of the D.Y. Patil Group said, “Department of Business Management is today a force to reckon with in the Management field. They are the pioneers in introducing new and industry oriented program in consultation with the various industry experts.”

Dr. R. Gopal, the Director of the Department said, “The department is in discussion with the various experts and the various aviation industries so as to bridge the needs of the aviation industry and the educational institutions. Additionally, discussions are being held in relation to guest lectures, summer placements and final placements. Many aviation organizations have already committed to absorb our students at the end of the two year period.”

The course is piloted by Captain Shashi Koppikar, a veteran in the airline industry with around 45 years experience.