20 schools in fierce competition at first ever Colombo Aviation Quiz 2016

Ananda College Colombo won the inaugural Colombo Aviation Quiz 2016 from among 20 leading schools and international schools in the Colombo District that contested the country’s first ever quiz on the global aviation industry, organised by SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC). D.S. Senanayake College emerged 1st runner up with 37 points to Ananda’s 45, while Royal College Colombo was 2nd runner up with 35 points, at the competition conducted at the Methodist College premises early this month. The event presented students with a valuable opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the vast history and contemporary developments in the global aviation industry, and also to meet and network with students of other schools with similar interests. SLAC (www.srilankanaviationcollege. com), the country’s premier aviation industry training institution which is the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, intends to conduct similar district level quiz programs in several other districts, and to take next year’s competition to an international level by opening it out to the entire SAARC region. SLAC has provided assistance to schools across the country to start up Aviation Clubs for the benefit of students with an interest in aviation. The competition comprised of five rounds in which the fivemember teams were tested on different aspects of flight over a history spanning more than 100 years, starting from era of the Wright Brothers. The winning team from Ananda College won an impressive shield and model aircraft, certificates and sponsorship worth Rs. 100,000 for any school event related to aviation. The runner-up team from D.S. Senanayake College received a trophy, certificates and souvenirs. All participating teams received special certificates and souvenirs and two slots at SLAC’s Aviation Education Camp. Prizes were presented by SLAC General Manager Primal De Silva, SLAC Deputy General Manager Marketing Buddhika Hewawasam, SLAC’s Faculty of Image Consultancy and Cabin Crew Head Joanne Jayamaha and SLAC Faculty of Airport Service and Flight Operations Head Therika Thilakawardhana. SLAC Marketing and Business Promotions Officer Nathasha Jayampathi presented the vote of thanks. The performance of teams was evaluated by a team of judges from SLAC with the day’s proceedings being directed by quiz master Ruwan Bandara. The Methodist College Dance Troupe gave a scintillating performance at the awards ceremony. The quiz was one of a series of programs by SLAC, a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Next General of Aviation Professionals programme (NGAP), to create awareness of the rewarding career possibilities in air transport which is one of fastest growing industries in the world. SLAC was launched in 2013 bringing together more than three decades of experience of the National Carrier in all aspects of aviation training. Located at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, it provides a wide range of programmes through its six faculties – Travel and Tourism; Airport Services; Cargo and Dangerous Goods Regulations; Image Consultancy; Aircraft Maintenance Avionics ; and Aircraft Maintenance Mechanicals. It graduated nearly 300 young men and women in various programs this year. It gained global recognition last year when it was granted associate membership in the prestigious TRAINAIR PLUS program of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is already accredited by international bodies such as IATA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Civil Aviation Authorities of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan. SLAC presently operates a franchise in the Maldives and has appointed Nawaloka Air Services as its franchise partner in the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central Provinces.