The new Centre of Aviation and Security Studies (CASS), run by Emirates' Group Security department, conducted the five-day course at the Emirates Aviation College.

Nearly 40 security and aviation security professionals, including three representatives of the United Nations World Food Programme, attended the course which dealt with challenges in aviation security management, plus the latest threats against civil aviation. Emirates' group security divisional senior vice president, Dr Abdulla Al Hashimi, commented: "We are pleased to commence the year with a course where a diverse group of people such as this provided a great forum for the exchange of ideas and best practice."

"The course also allows participants to revisit traditional methods in the management of aviation security and examine their relevancy in the current environment. In the not so distant future, more courses and seminars similar to this will be organised through Group Security's initiative in Dubai. The overwhelming response we received from this course is testament to its importance to the industry" he adds.

The course was facilitated by a Certified Security Trainer (CST - USA) from CJ Consulting Group of Singapore.

The participants received certificates from CASS, which has a partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU) of Perth, Western Australia.

As this is a university training programme, the participants earned credit points in the Diploma programme in Aviation Security Management that was jointly developed by Emirates Group Security and ECU.