ISTAT Jetrader - Spring 2023 - 29

Victor Mwongera, a former ISTAT
Foundation scholarship recipient
and current department head for the
mechanical engineering program
at Kenyatta University, said: " An
average of 75 students are accepted
into the program each year, but
more than half experience financial
hardships that prevent them from
completing their studies. " In addition
to financial constraints, aviation career
opportunities within the region can be
competitive when compared to other
industries. " Upon graduation, most
students have a desire to work for an
generation of aviation professionals
in Africa.
Earlier this year, Aviation Capital
ABOVE:
ALA camp participants.
RIGHT:
ISTAT Foundation Trustee
Christine Rovelli and ALA
camp participants during
Girls in Aviation Day at Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport.
Group (ACG), together with the
Foundation, launched a Diversity
and Inclusion Fund. Funded by ACG
and managed by the Foundation, the
program will provide US$100,000 in
scholarships, internships and career
resources to aviation-focused students
in developing regions such as Africa
starting this year through 2027. These
funds will help break down the unique
barriers that these students face.
" We are truly honored with this
groundbreaking
support from ACG
as we advance
the Foundation's
initiatives to support
the industry's
continued growth
and deliver aviation's
critical economic
advantages to
regions across the
world, including the
burgeoning African
market, " says Peter
Huijbers, ISTAT
Foundation chair.
The ISTAT
Partnering With
Universities
While in Kenya, the Foundation
leadership team also began developing
relationships with Kenyatta and Moi
Universities to better understand
the challenges faced by students,
determine impactful support methods
and establish oppportunities for ISTATfunded
scholarships. With aviationrelated
degree programs costing up
to three times that of a non-aviation
programs, funding is a key hurdle for
those interested in pursuing aviationrelated
degrees.
airline. However, opportunities remain
few, and most institutions prefer to
hire those with experience, rather than
recent graduates, " Mwongera says.
The higher cost of education,
coupled with a competitive job market
for entry-level professionals within
Africa, can result in students looking
beyond aviation-related degrees if
outside support is not received. In
response, Africa will remain a focus
region for the ISTAT Foundation, and
thanks to the generosity of the ISTAT
community, the Foundation is able
to continue investments in the next
Foundation looks
forward to continuing
to support the African aviation
industry. ISTAT members and member
companies interested in donating to
the ISTAT Foundation or participating
in outreach initiatives to support these
regions are encouraged to reach out
to us at foundation@istat.org or visit
istat.org/foundation.
Tracey O'Brien is the senior fleet manager
for fleet transactions and management at
Amazon and an ISTAT Foundation trustee.
Katie Minarik is a senior aircraft analyst at
AVITAS Inc.
* SPR I NG 2023 * 2 9
http://www.istat.org/foundation
ISTAT Jetrader - Spring 2023

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