Open-distance higher education institution the University of South Africa (Unisa) and Department of Transport entity Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) on July 15 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Unisa’s Pretoria campus, formalising the partnership between the two entities to advance multidisciplinary research in air traffic management.

Anchored in the university’s Catalytic Niche Area on Aviation and Aeronautical Studies, an institutional priority championed by the Office of the Vice Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, the project aims to advance multidisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry.

Initiated and launched in early 2024, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry in the aviation sector, and align academic theory with real-world practice.

This engaged scholarship project aims to provide a high-impact model of academic and industry collaboration, by combining Unisa’s strengths in research, teaching and innovation with ATNS’s operational and technical expertise.

The project aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration to develop innovative solutions that enhance aviation efficiency, safety and decision-making through science, education, research and innovation principles.

Objectives of the project include conducting research to enhance aviation practices; offering training in records management, library services and formal qualifications in aviation; and participating in knowledge-enhancing sessions with the aviation sector.

The project will link to Unisa’s teaching and learning by offering practical experience that is expected to enhance academic curricula and research.

At the signing of the MoU, speakers lauded the partnership as a transformative approach for navigating the country’s aviation sector and its challenges.

The partnerships aims to create a dynamic platform for idea exchange and mutual learnings, enabling both entities to benefit from one another.  

The project will be structured into six teams.

It was mentioned that the project has grown from initially only focusing on records management at the ATNS, to include library services, knowledge management practices and the creation of a museum – with the latter highlighted as pioneering in Africa.

The museum aims to preserve digital aviation and air traffic management artefacts, with a particular emphasis on the historical significance of the ATNS in South Africa and its broader impact on global aviation.

It also endeavours to safeguard digital archives that reflect the evolution of the ATNS practices and technologies over the past 30 years, as well as seeks to promote knowledge sharing and education, and strengthen the ATNS’s corporate structure.

It was highlighted that progress has already been made on the project, with milestones including a museum conceptualisation tour in October last year, ATNS records management authorised users training in November last year, and the hosting of several strategy and information sessions.

Ongoing benchmarking work is being undertaken for the museum.

There are also ongoing consultations to align the training qualifications offered by the ATNS Aviation Training Academy with the National Qualifications Framework.  

These discussions include the formal accreditation of short learning programmes and the potential development of diploma offerings, in collaboration with Unisa’s Academic Planning Office and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.

Research areas spanning various colleges have been identified for future work.

A structured monitoring and evaluation framework has been established to track progress and impact, with quarterly Unisa engaged scholarship reports supported by subcommittee updates and regular progress reviews.

These efforts endeavour to ensure the long-term institutionalisation and sustainability of the partnership.