GIANISI LEGALL AND KALIA JAWAHIR, second year students of The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Maintenance and Management at UTT Aviation Campus at Camden, are well on their way to achieving great success as they soar to new heights. 

 

Although coming from different backgrounds, Kalia's keen interest in the intricacies of the operations of aircraft and Gianisi's readiness to challenge herself upon completing the National Engineering Technician Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 2017, have landed them at the juncture where they eagerly share a common passion for aviation. 

 

Both Kalia and Gianisi were in high praises of the quality of the University's programme, with Kalia openly expressing, "the Aviation programme has not only exposed me to theory, but with the programme's practical aspect I am afforded a better understanding of what is taught in the classroom." She further adds that the University's fleet, which includes a Boeing 727, a helicopter and light aircraft, provides a platform for enhanced practical training. Gianisi also shared that at the beginning of the programme, it was a bit intimidating, but with the assistance of the highly qualified lecturers, and UTT's Personal Tutor programme, she was able to adjust to the demands and rigours of the course of study. 

 

One factor on which they both agreed, was the importance of teamwork in preparing them for the dynamic world of work. This was evidenced by the completion of a class project to design a system using logic circuits. Kalia, Gianisi and the team successfully created an Aircraft Seatbelt Monitoring Unit, which is designed to identify passengers who do not comply with safety regulations issued by the Captain during periods of turbulence. The accompanying academic paper was accepted for poster presentation and publication by the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI) Conference, carded for July 2019 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Gianisi and Kalia will represent their class, as they present to an international audience consisting of industry stakeholders and members of academia. 

 

For both students, this achievement is a testament to the rewards of teamwork and determination. For The University of Trinidad and Tobago, having its students present at an international conference of this calibre is an endorsement of the quality of UTT's Aviation programmes. 

 

The University of Trinidad and Tobago applauds Gianisi and Kalia, as they continue to pursue excellence!