Norman C. T. Liu scholarships providing the next generation of opportunities to succeed in Air Transport Management

Cranfield University is proud to work with global industry leaders who believe in investing in the next generation of aviation professionals. One of those leaders, Norman C. T. Liu, has personally committed to supporting Cranfield students through two new scholarships designed to expand opportunity and strengthen the global aviation talent pipeline. Liu was formerly the Chairman , President & CEO of GE Capital Aviation Services which was the world’s largest aviation financing firm during his tenure. More recently, he was President & CEO of Nordic Aviation Capital which was the world’s largest regional aircraft lessor which was sold to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise in 2025.

These scholarships – the Norman C. T. Liu Women in Aviation Scholarship and the Norman C. T. Liu East Asia Scholarship – reflect Norman’s personal commitment to inclusion, global collaboration and the development of future aviation leaders.

The Norman C. T. Liu Women in Aviation Scholarship

The aviation sector continues to face a significant gender imbalance, particularly in technical and leadership roles. Increasing female participation across engineering, management and strategic decision-making is essential to building a more resilient and innovative industry.

The Norman C. T. Liu Women in Aviation Scholarship supports a female student studying the Air Transport Management MSc at Cranfield. The award provides £10,000 towards tuition fees, helping to remove financial barriers and enable talented students to pursue advanced aviation education.

By supporting women pursuing careers in aviation leadership and strategy, the scholarship contributes to strengthening the pipeline of future industry leaders.

The Norman C. T. Liu East Asia Scholarship

The aviation industry is global by nature, and East Asia remains one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing aviation markets in the world. Recognising this, Norman has also established the Norman C. T. Liu East Asia Scholarship, which supports students from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore or Taiwan who are studying the Air Transport Management MSc at Cranfield.

The scholarship aims to support emerging talent from a region that plays a critical role in global aviation growth, fleet development and infrastructure expansion. By supporting students from East Asia to study in the UK, the scholarship strengthens international collaboration and knowledge exchange within the aviation community.

Supporting ambition in a transforming industry

The aviation sector is navigating significant long-term challenges, from sustainability to technological transformation. As the industry works toward Net Zero by 2050, innovation will come through incremental engineering advancements, operational efficiency and new technologies.

Norman is clear that there is no single solution:

“It’s a very, very long journey… there’s no silver bullet. It’s a bunch of incremental steps.”

From more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels to advancements in engine technology and air traffic management, the future of aviation will depend on highly skilled professionals who can combine engineering expertise with commercial understanding. By studying the environmental planning challenges facing modern air transport, our scholars will be well equipped to tackle these issues.

Celebrating achievement

As aviation continues to evolve in response to sustainability challenges, technological change and growing global demand, the need for diverse perspectives and international expertise has never been greater.

The Norman C. T. Liu scholarships will demonstrate how individual leadership can make a meaningful difference. By investing in both women entering the aviation sector and students from one of the world’s most important aviation regions, Norman is helping build a stronger, more inclusive and globally connected aviation industry.

They represent the next generation of industry leaders — individuals equipped with the knowledge, resilience and global outlook to influence aviation at the highest level.

Investing in the next generation of aviation experts

Throughout his career, Norman has championed innovation, diversity and long-term thinking within the aviation sector. His connection with Cranfield began through the previous Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) Women in Aviation Scholarship programme. Following the conclusion of that initiative, Liu chose to continue supporting Cranfield students personally through a new set of scholarships funded directly by him.

This scholarship reflects his belief in paying forward the opportunities and experiences that shaped his own career, while ensuring that the aviation industry continues to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.

A commitment to the future

These scholarships represent more than financial support. They embody a shared belief between Cranfield University and Norman that aviation must be proactive in shaping a more inclusive, innovative and resilient future.

By investing in talent across both business and engineering pathways, we are strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline and supporting individuals who will help solve its most pressing challenges.