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16 Dec 2025
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16 Dec 2025
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Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, UL President, Professor Kerstin Mey, and AirNav Ireland CEO, Mr Peter Kearney | PICTURE: David Curtin
THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick have taken their teaching to new heights as they launch the "world-first" Irish World Aviation Academy (IWAA) on their campus.
Having joined hands with AirNav Ireland, UL's latest teaching tool was officially launched by An Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, and aims to become a "unique asset to aviation" in Ireland.
The IWAA will be headquartered at UL, but it is said that its educational programs will extend to industry locations worldwide, through partnerships with industry professionals, university staff, and AirNav Ireland to deliver an "experiential and research-led education."
It is said that the hopes for the academy is that it becomes a standard requirement for senior employment in the aviation sector and produce industry-ready graduates, as UL is "exceptionally well placed" to offer a model of embedded learning in partnership with AirNav Ireland.
The launch of the academy was held at Dublin Airport's new Air Traffic Control Tower, and was attended, not just by An Tánaiste, but also Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.
Speaking at the event, An Tánaiste Micheál Martin commended the collaboration between UL and the aviation sector, citing the university's strong heritage in aviation. "The model is a good one and I know other industries are looking with interest at this collaboration with education as a model for future learning, innovation, and growth.
"Universities are the birthplace of fresh thinking, innovation and business development, and our economy needs the ideas for the future that emerge from them."
UL President Professor Kerstin Mey and AirNav Ireland CEO Dr Peter Kearney emphasized the academy's focus on innovation, learning, and seizing opportunities in the aviation sector. Professor Mey described the IWAA as a "world first" in both education and aviation, as it represents one of the few instances where a university and a commercial state company have joined forces to serve the sector's educational, research, and developmental needs.
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