BINTULU: The problems faced by 16 students of GGIFA International College of Aviation who failed to get education loans since April 2009 has caught the attention of Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
WE DID IT: The 19 graduates of GGIFA International College of Aviation celebrating their achievement.
Immediately after GGIFA executive chairman Dato Morshidi Abdul Rahman had highlighted the plight of the 16 students at the college’s second graduation ceremony at Wisma Bintulu yesterday, Talib responded by saying that he would give them a helping hand.
“If I get all the facts, I will follow up and see what I can do. When it comes to students’ welfare, it will be my concern,” he said. Talib also advised the students to continue fighting for their scholarships.
“I don’t mind being unpopular to some people, but I will try my best to help. I don’t believe I can get everything done but getting scholarships is close to my heart because I got my qualifications through scholarships,” he related to those present.
Talib, who is also Jepak assemblyman, added that training youngsters to become pilots was in line with the state and nation’s aspirations to become a high income economy as pilots could command a high income. Talib said, the government would go all out to help train more people to have high income.
“Ultimately, this will enrich the nation. The more people with high income the richer the nation. I promise to give you the (necessary) support,” he assured.
Talib also gave GGIFA a pat on the back for successfully producing young pilots for the state and country.
Since Sarawak is expanding into various sectors, he believed that the demand for pilots would also increase in the future. Nineteen cadet pilots received their certificates yesterday for commercial pilot licence/instrument rating with frozen air transport pilot licence course (CPL/IR).
Fifteen students were awarded for various achievements, namely Yee Kain Ming (from Batch four) and Foo Yong Ping (Batch three) for Best Overall Performance Award CPL/IR; Farah Zieda Mohd Anuar (Batch four) and Darren Mark Jee Shen Yi (Batch three) for Best Flying Achievement Award CPL/IR; Luk Ku Soon (Batch four) and Wong Chun Keat (Batch three) for Best Academic Studies Award CPL/IR; Hairol Faizie Abu Hassan, Gary Justin Yin, Sheikh Fakharuzzi Sheikh Harun for Best Flying Achievement Award PPL; Aaina Muzzafirah Mustafa, Muhammad Hazim Azhari and Yip Choon Wai for Best Academic Studies Award Private Pilot Licence (PPL); Mohd Shafiq Ikmal Abdul Rahman, Praveen Sinadass @Sinadasan and Miraz Ho Chiang Hui for Most Promising Award.
Also present at the ceremony were GGIFA director Johnny Pang, GGIFA deputy executive chairman Datin Joanna Lim Abdullah and chief executive officer Hatta Fauzi.