RIYADH, 11 December 2007 — The UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), the world’s only professional body dedicated to the global aerospace community, launched a new branch in Riyadh on Sunday, and announced a scholarship program to help Saudis pursue further education in aviation.
The group’s Riyadh branch was launched in a ceremony that was attended by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, members of the Saudi royal family, aviation personnel and diplomats.
“RAeS will be happy to support young Saudi students who wish to enroll and complete aerospace-related courses, which are one of the best career options today,” said RAeS President David Marshall, who flew from London to attend the launch.
Marshall said that the RAeS had created a “Centennial Scholarship Fund” to provide assistance to prospective students.
Keith Mans, chief executive of the society’s Riyadh branch, said the branch would support and supplement all its initiatives.
John Scott, a British Aerospace (BAE) executive, gave a presentation providing an overview of aviation in Saudi Arabia, with special reference to the Saqr Al-Jazeera Aviation Museum in Riyadh.
Paul Dugan, chairperson of the RAeS Riyadh branch, said that the branch, the second in the Middle East, would supplement RAeS initiatives that proudly boast an ever-expanding international network of 70 branches covering all major centers of aerospace activity.
He added that the society currently has over 19,000 members, some 4,000 young members, and over 100 organizations and businesses as corporate partners in more than 100 countries.
The event was also attended by British Ambassador William Patey, who is also the president of the RAeS Riyadh branch.
Founded in 1866, RaeS is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community. Membership is available to anyone who is a professional within the aerospace industry.
, Keith Mans, RAeS chief executive, Peter Ruddock, vice president of the RAeS Riyadh branch, Paul Dugan, chairperson of the RAeS Riyadh branch, Ian Lilles, vice chairperson of the RAeS Riyadh branch, Dr. David Surah, secretary of the RAeS Riyadh branch, and Paul Gibbs, treasurer of the RAeS Riyadh branch. Also present were Abdulaziz M. Henaidy, director of the Human Rights Commission, Andrew Cowen and Mark Breen of Sama Airline and Tim Sutton, general manager of Geant Saudi Ltd.
