UK University Program Allowed Suspected Hijacker to Evade Security Checks
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Suspected hijacker bypassed UK security via remote learning loophole.
- Distance learning program excluded him from required security checks.
- Course included subjects like aviation security and terrorism.
- UK authorities may tighten academic vetting procedures.
- The program cost approximately £16,000 annually.
Hamam Al-Hamami, the co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a Flydubai passenger plane en route to Israel, reportedly bypassed stringent UK security screenings due to a loophole in academic regulations, according to The Telegraph. Al-Hamami, 29, pursued a three-year bachelor's degree in aviation management remotely from his home in Muscat, Oman, through Buckinghamshire New University. This distance learning program allowed him to circumvent the comprehensive security checks typically required for international students studying sensitive subjects like aeronautical engineering or aircraft maintenance in the UK.
The security vetting process, known as the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), is designed to screen students in the UK for courses involving potentially dangerous technologies. However, the scheme only applies to postgraduate degrees and students physically present in the UK. Since Al-Hamami completed his undergraduate studies online, he was not subject to these checks, despite the course curriculum including topics such as aviation security and "terrorism in the aviation industry."
The course cost approximately £16,000 per year. British authorities are now reportedly considering tightening procedures in light of this incident. The report highlights how Al-Hamami was able to obtain his degree without undergoing the thorough background checks that might have been applied if he had studied in person.
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