First in Japan! Scholarships granted to KIT students by an international aviation organization

The International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Foundation, an aviation-related charitable organization based in the USA, awarded scholarships to seven Japanese students from four different universities. The selected students include two from KIT: Tsubasa Iwafune, a first-year student in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program (awarded total tuition for 2018), and Miharu Taira, a third-year student in the Department of Aeronautics (awarded $4,000 USD).

Since 2006, the ISTAT Foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 370 students worldwide. The scholarship initiative between the ISTAT Foundation and Japanese universities began in November 2017 when a member of the Scholarship Committee of the ISTAT Foundation invited seven Japanese universities to submit candidates for an ISTAT Scholarship. The following universities were extended an invitation to submit a candidate(s): Kanazawa Institute of Technology, The University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagoya University and Kyushu University. These universities are also participants in the Boeing Externship Program, in which students attend online lectures given by employees of Boeing in English and carry out project activities in English.

KIT recruited students for the scholarship via the KIT student portal site, and selected Tsubasa Iwafune and Miharu Taira based on their scores and English resumes.

The scholarship recipients have been granted ISTAT membership and are exempted from paying registration fees for international conferences hosted by ISTAT for the duration of five years. In addition, they will have opportunities to apply for internships at ISTAT member companies. This will enable them to play an active role in the field of aviation in the future.

The scholarship application form and supporting materials including resume, essay and recommendations are required to be submitted in English. The Department of Aeronautics continues to create opportunities for students to express their ideas in English so they can be recognized by public organizations such as ISTAT.

Outline of ISTAT:

Founded in 1983, the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) is an organization based in the USA, consisting of companies that are involved in manufacturing, selling, purchasing, leasing, financing, maintenance, appraising, or other activities related to commercial aircraft. ISTAT has more than 4,000 members including aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus and Mitsubishi Aircraft, engine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce and General Electric, as well as airlines, financial institutions and attorneys. The members also include Japanese manufacturers, trading companies, leasing companies, and financial institutions.

ISTAT hosts international forums annually in the USA, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to provide the latest industry information and opportunities for networking. In 1994, the ISTAT Foundation was established to promote internships for students, humanitarian support for natural disasters, etc. and scholarships for students who wish to become active participants in the aviation industry in the future.