For 40 years, SKYTRAC Systems Ltd. has been building technology that helps keep aircraft safe in some of the world’s most challenging environments. What began as a small Okanagan-based company developing solutions for tracking planes in remote regions has grown into a global leader in aviation communication and safety technology.

Headquartered in Kelowna with operations in Ottawa, SKYTRAC’s satellite communications and intelligent connectivity systems are used in aircraft and control centres across all seven continents. Whether supporting helicopters battling wildfires, aircraft conducting search-and-rescue missions, or operators flying in remote northern regions where traditional communications are unavailable, SKYTRAC’s technology helps flight crews stay connected, informed and safe.

While its leading-edge aerospace innovation has fuelled the company’s growth, the team at SKYTRAC credits the people, partnerships and community that helped shape its journey. That’s why, when deciding how to celebrate its 40th anniversary, they chose to give back in the community that helped launch their success, making a $224,000 gift to create the SKYTRAC Student Experience Endowment Fund at UBC Okanagan. The fund will support computer science students as they take part in transformative learning experiences, from SKYTRAC Hack-a-thons to competitions and industry events that build the skills, connections and confidence students need to succeed beyond the classroom.

SKYTRAC President, Malachi Nordine, says the gift was about more than marking a milestone.

“We wanted to recognize the community that has played such an important role in our success, and this endowment is a way to give back while investing in the next generation of innovators. We’re proud to support students in our community and help create opportunities that strengthen the local talent pool, ensuring the region continues to thrive as a hub for innovation and technology for years to come.”

SKYTRAC’s commitment to developing talent started well before their milestone gift. Through co-op placements, career fairs and graduate recruitment, the company has built a strong relationship with UBC Okanagan. Many former co-op students have gone on to long-term careers at SKYTRAC, including senior leadership and technical roles.

Lael Parrott, Dean of UBC’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, says experiential learning is a priority for the Faculty and an important part of preparing students for life after graduation.

“SKYTRAC has shown tremendous leadership in creating opportunities for our students to learn alongside industry, test their skills against real-world challenges and see where their talents can take them. This generous gift builds on that commitment, giving more students the experiences, connections and confidence they need to succeed after graduation.”

UBC Okanagan computer science graduate, Ronit Buti, experienced the value of that approach firsthand. In 2026, he was part of the first team from UBC’s Okanagan campus to participate in SKYTRAC’s annual hackathon at the company’s Ottawa office, where they spent a week working alongside SKYTRAC engineers, using SKYTRAC hardware and technology, to develop a solution for helping people in remote areas communicate over satellite. The team placed second against universities from across Canada.

Following the hackathon, Buti was one of several students invited to continue working on the challenge with SKYTRAC in a summer internship, extending a week-long learning experience into an opportunity to contribute to work with real-world potential.

“I’m really grateful that an experience that started at the SKYTRAC Hack-a-thon led to the opportunity to spend my summer at SKYTRAC,” says Buti. “During my internship, I helped build a satellite-connected push-to-talk app, taking the hackathon concept further. Being able to build on our original idea, learn from an experienced team and contribute to technology in an industry I’ve been interested in since I was a kid made the experience especially meaningful.”

For SKYTRAC, the endowment is both a gift to students and an investment in the future of the region. It is ensuring that students at UBC Okanagan will continue to have access to the hands-on experiences and industry mentorship that can shape their careers, strengthening the pipeline of talent that fuels innovation in the Okanagan. And looking ahead to the next 40 years, they are committed to helping the next generation of innovators take flight.