MEMKO and Cranfield University deliver world-class Aviation Safety and Investigation courses and strengthen industry-academia collaboration.
As the official industry partner of Cranfield University (UK), MEMKO recently supported the delivery of their renowned Aviation Safety Investigation (ASI) training course in Canberra for the first time.
Building on the success of the course run in Melbourne earlier this year, the recent 5-day ASI course in Canberra was a resounding success, hosting 30 industry organisations, government and defence agencies from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. Due to the strong demand for this specialised aviation safety/investigation training in the region, place allocation was exhausted shortly after release.
Inside the ASI Program
The ASI course is designed to provide participants with world-class insights into accident investigation principles, human factors, safety management systems and practical techniques for managing complex investigations. Delivered by Cranfield University’s expert faculty, Professor Graham Braithwaite (Director of Aerospace and Aviation) and Craig Cattell (Senior Lecturer in Accident Investigation), the program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, designed to give participants practical skills that can be applied immediately in real-world scenarios.
MEMKO is an engineering and technology company based in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 2007 with its origins in Aerospace, MEMKO’s services now span across multiple industries with a focus on Aerospace and Defence engineering using smart enterprise digital tools across the product life cycle management covering design, systems engineering, digital mock-up, simulation, digital manufacturing and virtual twin. MEMKO is committed to building the workforce of the future, supporting many research and university clients with a combination of industry and market knowledge. MEMKO also delivers training courses for continued education in aviation and aerospace, micro credentials for upskilling in digital manufacturing and official Dassault Systèmes software certification.
One of the most highly regarded aspects of the course is the simulated investigation exercise (running throughout 4 of the 5 days of the course), which immerses participants in a realistic accident investigation scenario. This includes conducting simulated interviews with key people involved in the incident, such as pilots, cabin crew and a passenger, allowing attendees to practice critical questioning and evidence-gathering techniques under authentic conditions. As part of our role as an industry partner, MEMKO supported this exercise by providing a team member to participate in the simulated interviews.
The ASI course equips professionals with the tools to improve safety outcomes, enhance investigative processes and strengthen organisational resilience.
Industry and Academia Converge at the British High Commission Residence
During the Canberra course week, MEMKO also supported the official Cranfield University Alumni and Friends Networking Reception, hosted by the UK Deputy High Commissioner, Dr Brian Jones and Cranfield University. This special event was held at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner to Australia, on 2 October 2025 and brought together Cranfield faculty, Australia-based alumni and industry leaders from across the Australian aviation community.
Attendees had the opportunity to connect with Professor Braithwaite, Craig Cattell and Paul Fox (Regional Manager APAC – Safety & Accident Investigation Centre), who were in Canberra to deliver the ASI course. The evening reinforced the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening professional networks within the aviation safety sector.
2026 Expansion
This successful partnership demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to make world-class training accessible in the Asia Pacific region. Without this collaboration, such valuable programs would not be available to professionals in our region.
Looking ahead, MEMKO will continue supporting Cranfield University by introducing additional ASI course dates in 2026 and expanding the course portfolio. Future offerings will include dedicated courses Analysis Techniques for Accident Investigators and Interview Techniques for Accident Investigators, which are relevant not only to aviation but also to road transportation, rail and marine investigations.
Join the Next Course
Connect with Paul Fox, Visiting Fellow & Regional Manager APAC – Safety & Accident Investigation Centre (Cranfield University) to express your interest for 2026 and stay informed about upcoming dates.
Email paul.fox@cranfield.ac.uk
