The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Fathun on her dream job in MACL

02 November 2021, MVT 17:13
Manager of the System Planning and Support Unit of the Air Traffic Engineering Section at Velana International Airport, Fathimath Ahmed's (Fathun) -- Photo: Nishan Ali/ Mihaaru
02 November 2021, MVT 17:13

Fathimath Ahmed's (Fathun) favourite subjects to study in school were Mathematics and Physics. She chose to pursue engineering after receiving good grades in higher secondary education, which she obtained in Kulhudhufushi City, where she was born and raised. She found the opportunity to pursue engineering when GMR - the company then operating Velana International Airport - opened for scholarship opportunities.

Fathun completed her Bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering in Jawaharlal Nehru University of Hyderabad, India.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) offered her the position of a Technician in the Communication Unit of the Air Traffic Engineering Section after she returned to Maldives. Seven years after accepting the job of a technician, she is now the Manager of the System Planning and Support Unit of the section at the age of 30.

MACL have now opened the opportunity for anyone that wants to follow similar footsteps and work in the aviation industry.

Faathun was the first woman to secure a job in the Air Traffic Control Section of MACL. She remains to be the only woman in the section while filling the position of a Manager at one of the five units under it now.

After working as an Air Traffic Technician for one and a half years, she had also worked as a Communication Engineer for three years previously.

As a Technician, Fathun's tasks included repairing communication equipment and maintenance. It was then she realised this was a job with significant responsibilities. As the two main areas one can pursue to advance their careers in this sector were field engineering and engineering management, Fathun chose the latter.

As she understood the importance of having the relevant knowledge to successfully manage, she has also completed a Masters Degree in Business Administration as well. She notes this helps her in her current position.

Manager of the System Planning and Support Unit, Air Traffic Engineering Section at VIA Fathun at work -- Photo: Nishan Ali/ Mihaaru

Her main responsibility as the Manager of the System Planning and Support Unit is managing the engineering resources of all the units under Air Traffic Engineering Section. Fathun plays a key role in the development of electronic systems maintained by all units of the section.

It is also under her supervision of their unit manages and maintain spare parts for equipment in addition to carrying out the necessary assessment and technical evaluation as well. Additionally, all projects under this unit is planned and carried out under her supervision.

"Providing a safe and secure guidance to an airplane once it lifts off from the airport until it reaches its destination is the main duty of air traffic control," Fathun said.

The continuous maintenance of the service provided by the system, including air traffic management systems, communication, surveillance, and data processing equipment is carried out by Fathun and the Air Traffic Engineering Unit.

"What we are doing in the Air Traffic Engineering Section is servicing and maintaining the air traffic management system. And keep the system in operation 24 hours a day without any problems," she said.

It is also their responsibility to maintain the ATM system used to monitor the safety of air vessels.

Manager of the System Planning and Support Unit, Air Traffic Engineering Section at VIA Fathun at work -- Photo: Nishan Ali/ Mihaaru

"Recently I had worked on installing a new radar. I have worked in similar projects and have also been involved in installing and planning an HF equipment," Fathun said.

"All these efforts have been a great experience in the industry. "We are learning a lot of things every day."

Fathun said she is delighted that she got the opportunity to work in the industry she had wanted to pursue since her school days. She is also happy she was able to accomplish many achievements within a short period. Fathun said she was able to reach such a success with MACL and her coworker's continuous support, and hopes she will be able to reach greater success in this field. She is also honoured to be the only female engineer to work in the air traffic engineering section in the history of the airport.

MORE ON BUSINESS