MAB Academy wins IATA award for innovative use of VR technology in training and assessment

New Straits Times

07-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: MAB Academy, the training arm of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), has earned global recognition with the 2025 IATA Competency-Based Training and Assessment Centre (IATA CBTA) Innovation Award from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This award acknowledges MAB Academy's pioneering application of immersive virtual reality (VR) technology in competency-based training and assessment for dangerous goods handling—an industry-first in the region.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Malaya's Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, the VR training module simulates real-world warehouse scenarios, allowing aviation personnel to gain practical experience in the classification, preparation, and acceptance of dangerous goods.
The solution provides a safe, controlled, and interactive environment for trainees to engage in high-risk training, improving knowledge retention, situational awareness, and operational safety.
Its chief operating officer, Aida Salfaraz, said the immersive training programme for dangerous goods handling was developed to provide a safe, realistic environment where trainees can build practical skills through simulated real-world scenarios, minimising risks while enhancing preparedness.
"It's encouraging to see innovation in training being acknowledged as a key part of improving safety standards within the industry and fostering a stronger safety culture," she said in a statement.
The awards were presented during the 3rd IATA CBTA Centre Conference at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dubai.
The selection process for the award involved an evaluation by an independent jury comprising industry experts, IATA representatives and independent validators.
Entries were judged on their innovation, potential impact on industry priorities and sustainability, user-friendliness, implementation feasibility and evidence-based effectiveness.