Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) has become the first technical university in Malaysia to be equipped with a taxiway, apron, and security fence, enhancing the institute’s aerospace learning facilities.
This follows the successful handover of the project to UniKL MIAT by the Public Works Department, or Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR), as the implementing agency.
The ceremony was officiated by the Director General of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), YBhg. Dato’ Sri Azhar Abdul Manaf.
“Today, we witness another historic moment as UniKL receives a completed project from JKR—the taxiway, apron, and security fence. This is a significant and latest development, making UniKL the only university in Malaysia with a hangar directly connected to a commercial taxiway.
“As a result, we believe that in the future, our students will greatly benefit from the training conducted by UniKL MIAT. If we compare this to medical students, they gain hands-on experience treating patients, and in cases of surgery, they operate on live bodies.
“Similarly, in aviation studies, previously at UniKL MIAT Sepang, students could only observe aircraft maintenance, assembly, and engine startups. However, with this new development, I hope students will gain even greater industry exposure and experience,” he said after officiating the handover ceremony, held on 25 February 2025.
Also present were the Deputy Director General of Works (Infra Sector), Ir. Mohd Shahrom Ahmad Saman; the Deputy Director-General (Education) of MARA, Ir. Dr. Mahzan Teh; and the President/Chief Executive Officer of UniKL, Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman Senin.
For the record, on April 15, 2020, the implementation of the construction project for the taxiway, apron, and security fencing at the UniKL MIAT Subang campus, connecting the campus to the aircraft taxiway facilities at Subang Airport, was approved under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (RMK-11) with a total project cost of RM 14.9 million.
The construction project commenced on April 12, 2023, carried out by the contractor Yakin Serba Sdn Bhd through a tender procurement process.
With the completion of this taxiway construction, the hangar facilities at UniKL MIAT Subang can now accommodate fixed-wing narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, which are widely used by airlines in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
To enable the maintenance of narrow-body aircraft at the UniKL MIAT Subang hangar, UniKL MIAT will collaborate with Asia Aerotechnic Sdn. Bhd., a Part-145 aircraft maintenance company under MARA Corporation.
This collaboration with Asia Aerotechnic Sdn. Bhd. is part of an ecosystem adapted from the Teaching Factory model pioneered by UniKL.
Through this partnership, approximately 100 students per semester will have the opportunity to undergo On-the-Job Training (OJT) with the Part-145 company, enhancing their skills in the field of aircraft maintenance.
