NEWS RELEASE

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Joins SIM University to Offer The Republic of Singapore Air Force Personnel Dual Degree Programs

Daytona Beach, FL, July 11, 2011

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIM University (UniSIM) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) at the Air Force Training Command (AFTC) on Wednesday, May 25th. This MoU is part of RSAF’s continuing education programme to develop its personnel professionally and academically.

Under the MoU signed by the Chief of Air Force, Major General (MG) Ng Chee Meng, President of UniSIM, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, and Vice President & Chief Academic Officer of ERAU, Dr. John Watret, RSAF personnel studying at UniSIM who have attended relevant training courses in AFTC will be granted credit exemptions. RSAF personnel have a choice of three programmes: UniSIM-ERAU’s Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance, UniSIM-ERAU’s Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration and UniSIM’s Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Systems. RSAF personnel who enrol in the UniSIM-ERAU programmes will graduate with dual degrees, one from each of the universities. This MoU is an extension of the existing cooperation between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and UniSIM, established through the MoU on Strategic Partnership on Continuing Education signed in February 2009.

As the only Singapore tertiary institution dedicated to working adults, UniSIM is well-suited to provide degree programmes for RSAF personnel who can take advantage of the university’s modular and flexible learning approach to balance work with academic pursuits.

The other academic partner, ERAU, is the world’s leading aviation and aerospace university based in the United States. Founded in 1925, it is the largest accredited aviation-oriented university in the world. In 2010, ERAU partnered with UniSIM, its’ first Asian university partner, to offer its degrees in Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Business Administration.

Commenting on the signing of the MoU, Chief of Air Force, Major-General Ng said, “The RSAF has always placed an emphasis on the development of our people. This partnership with UniSIM and ERAU, two very established educational institutions, is part of our efforts to provide continuing education for RSAF personnel.”

UniSIM President, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat adds: “This MoU with RSAF is an extension, and signifies the success, of our existing partnership with the SAF. We are pleased to bring our partnership with ERAU to our men and women in the RSAF. I am confident this collaboration will help nurture a core pool of leadership talents and professionals and further increase the competencies of our modern air force.”

Embry-Riddle Vice President & Chief Academic Officer, Dr. John Watret commented, “We are very happy to be taking this important step to expand aviation and aerospace opportunities to RSAF personnel just as we do for thousands of US military personnel.”

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 40 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.