APIIC plans centre for aerospace study

Hyderabad: Even as the aviation industry is going through turbulent times with many carriers cutting down on their capacities and are even laying
off their employees the way Jet Airways has done, some ironically see a potential in human resources.
For instance, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation’s (APIIC) Lepakshi Knowledge Hub Pvt Ltd is planning to set up Lepakshi Aerospace Station and Aviation Academy (LASAA). The proposed facility envisages an area of around 1,000 acres. A special purpose vehicle will be set up with strategic partners from Canada, and the Canadian government has shown keenness to support this initiative.
Meanwhile, Dale Doreen, executive director, International Centre for Aviation Management Education and Research, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Canada, said that it is looking at setting up a first aviation university in India for aviation education and training. “We are seeking investors and many investors have evinced interest,” he said. While the location is yet to be finalized (it is looking for 750 acres), Doreen said they would start the first batch of the course next year with a few hundred students. Initially, the university would in all probability operate from an existing campus.
“The initial budget would be about between $20m and $50m. We had been talking informally with the Government of Andhra Pradesh who have shown interest. Now we will approach them formally,” Doreen said.
16/10/08 Times of India