The presentation was made by Dr. Assad Kotaite, President of the Council of ICAO, who praised the Academy for its contribution to aviation training, "a critical element in achieving safety". Dr. Kotaite also highlighted the upcoming signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ICAO and the Republic of Singapore, for the provision of 100 fellowships to be given by the SAA to developing countries through ICAO's Fellowships Programme.
Since its establishment in 1958, the Academy has successfully pursued a broad mission: achieve excellence in civil aviation training; promote national and inter-regional self-sufficiency in human resource development for the civil aviation sector; and serve as a forum for the exchange of information and expertise among all components of the air transport industry on topical issues having an impact on international civil aviation. More than 14,000 participants from 135 countries worldwide, many of whom have now reached senior positions in their respective administrations, have been trained in the Academy's three specialized schools - the School of Aviation Management, the School of Air Traffic Services and the School of Airport Emergency Services. On average, the SAA conducts 130 courses for 1 500 participants from 75 countries per year.
Conformance to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) is fundamental to the Academy's curriculum development process. The SAA's top-quality curriculum, created by specialists from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and overseas experts from established aviation and academic institutions worldwide, has enabled the Academy to offer urgently-needed specialized programmes not available elsewhere. These include courses on communications, navigation and surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems.
Dr. Kotaite said that the implementation of CNS/ATM systems, an ICAO priority, will transform many civil aviation jobs. During the transition phase between old and new systems, he added, training will play a fundamental role in achieving a delicate balance between current and new skills.
The Edward Warner Award is bestowed, in the form of a gold medal, on an individual or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to the safe and orderly development of international civil air transport. Edward Warner (U.S.A.) was the first President of the Council of ICAO, from 1945 to 1957.
