Airbus, BSMRAAU join hands to boost Bangladesh’s aviation industry

The newly-formed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus India to modernize Bangladesh’s aviation industry. 

Under the MoU, Airbus India will provide synergies in aerospace, world-class pilot training, maintenance engineering skills, and expansion of civil aviation infra structures for the holistic development and modernization of the sector. 

Airbus India & South Asia President and Managing Director Remi Maillard and BSMRAAU Vice Chancellor (VC) Air Vice-Marshal AHM Fazlul Haque signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations on Sunday.                 

The memorandum will also help explore opportunities for collaboration in the area of aircraft services for Bangladesh and the South Asian market.

“For Airbus, Bangladesh is not just a strong promising market. Airbus stands ready to support the holistic development and modernization of Bangladesh's aerospace industry. Under the agreement, Airbus shall make available its industry leading technological expertise and training capabilities to develop aerospace related skill sets,” Maillard said during the signing ceremony.

Airbus generated revenues of $70bn in 2019 and according to 2019-2038 Global Market Forecast, the Indian aircraft services market will grow to US$6.3bn by the year 2025.

“This MoU demonstrates our commitment to support the development of India as a world-class services hub for aerospace products,” he added. 

Addressing the event, BSMRAAU VC Air Vice-Marshal AHM Fazlul Haque said: “Aerospace leader Airbus has a wealth of experience in training fresh talent in every aspect of this profession. It will establish technical research laboratories and an international standard flight training academy.” 

This collaboration with Airbus is aligned to the university's visions in becoming a leading institute in the field of aerospace by creating a vibrant ecosystem in aerospace capabilities in Bangladesh, he added.

The Airbus training program will cover undergraduate and graduate students studying to become pilots and maintenance engineers. 

In addition, it will help design the study material and syllabus and its trainers will conduct classroom courses for a selected duration every year. The Airbus will also provide opportunities for five internships a year.   

On February 3, BSMRAAU began its academic activities with an aim to promote aeronautical and aerospace studies in the country. 

BSMRAAU, which was established in 2019 as the country's first aviation university, will also ensure training of pilots, aviation scientists, engineers, and other skilled workforce in the field of aviation.

Students will also get opportunities to study aircraft construction, repair, satellite construction and launching, alongside opportunities to conduct aerospace research.

On 28 February, 2019, Education Minister Dipu Moni placed a bill for the university in the national parliament as per the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Currently functioning its activities from its temporary campus in Dhaka’s Tejgaon, BSMRAAU VC told reporters that he was confident that the university will get its international standard permanent campus in Lalmonirhat very soon.