SEPANG, Sept 12 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) launched an aircraft livery with strategic partner, AirAsia, Asia's first low-cost carrier, based in Malaysia. The livery which was designed by the Faculty of Design and Architecture of UPM is displayed on one of AirAsia’s aircrafts.

The idea of UPM designing an aircraft livery for AirAsia, came about as a result of a discussion between UPM’s top management led by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris and AirAsia’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes in AirAsia’s office on 20 June 2016.

Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini said that the livery displayed Universiti Putra Malaysia's brand on an Airbus A320 aircraft with a flight number, 9MAQD.She then commented that this was a non-commercial initiative and the aircraft can be seen flying over Malaysian airspace since 2 August 2017.

"AirAsia provided a platform for UPM in the field of design, creativity and art for high-impact projects. As a result of the success of the UPM livery on the AirAsia’s aircraft, UPM believes it is able to offer an expertise in the field of design,” she announced.

"As UPM’s strategic partner, Tan Sri Tony had set aside the commercial aspects of this project but had stressed on the importance of knowledge and why institutions of higher education should be uplifted," she said.

She also added that Tan Sri Tony's high impact contribution and feedback to UPM-AirAsia's strategic collaboration, had resulted in student and staff mobility programmes, AirAsia's high-flyer internship programmes and academic collaborations of executive and research programmes that were aerospace centred.

“We are grateful and thankful to Tan Sri Tony and the management of AirAsia who have allowed UPM to display its livery to fly high in the blue sky,” she declared.

"A sincere gratitude is also dedicated to sponsoring partner, Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE), an airbus company who has provided an aircraft hangar for today’s ceremony,” she added.

"UPM would also like to thank the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh for his commitment, support and assistance in the brainstorming of the CEO@Faculty Programme," she said

Date of Input: 26/09/2017 | Updated: 26/09/2017 | noridahanim