Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Etihad Airways and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have concluded an eight-week internship programme for 10 Emirati students specialising in aerospace engineering, computer science and data analytics, a statement from the airline said.
The students were selected through a competitive, merit-based process and placed within the airline’s operational teams, where they gained practical experience in areas central to Etihad’s business.
The programme was designed to connect academic learning with aviation operations and prepare students for roles in artificial intelligence, engineering and advanced operations, the airline said.
It began with a structured induction covering Etihad’s operations, aviation fundamentals and safety standards. The interns subsequently joined their respective teams and worked alongside experienced professionals.
During the programme, the students contributed to projects covering engineering, fleet health monitoring, crew planning and the guest experience.
They applied data analytics and artificial intelligence to operational challenges, developed analytical tools to support planning and decision-making, and explored ways to improve guest journeys.
Working as members of their respective teams, the interns produced work with potential applications beyond the programme, the statement said.
Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, said developing national talent was central to the airline’s efforts to shape the future of aviation in the UAE.
“This programme brings that commitment to life by building genuine national capability in the disciplines that will define our industry for decades to come,” she said.
“Through our partnership with leading academic institutions such as Khalifa University, we are giving flight to the ambitions of the nation’s brightest young minds, creating pathways for them to develop the skills, experience and expertise needed to take this industry forward.”
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said the airline’s operational environment allowed young UAE nationals to understand how their skills could make an impact.
“Through this programme, the interns contributed to live projects across areas critical to Etihad’s performance, from engineering and planning to data-driven decision-making and the guest experience,” he said.
“As we continue to grow, we need talent who understand both the technical demands of aviation and the responsibility of serving guests every day.”
Dr Waleed Alameri, Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at Khalifa University, said such programmes extended students’ learning beyond the classroom.
“What matters most is seeing our students discover what they are capable of when given the right opportunity, trust and guidance,” he said.
“These experiences allow students to test their abilities, build confidence and recognise the value they can bring to real-world challenges.”
The programme forms part of Etihad’s UAE National Talent Strategy, which seeks to expand its Emirati workforce across operational, technical and corporate functions.
It also supports Khalifa University’s efforts to prepare graduates for their careers and establish pathways for UAE nationals to move from higher education into the aviation sector.
