Etihad Airways and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have completed their latest joint internship programme, supporting the development of Emirati talent and advancing the UAE’s aviation ambitions.
The eight-week
programme brought together 10 high-performing Khalifa University students
specialising in aerospace engineering, computer science and data analytics.
Selected through a competitive, merit-based process, the interns gained
practical experience within Etihad’s operational environment while receiving
mentorship and responsibility for real-world projects.
The programme was
designed to connect academic learning with aviation operations. Following an
induction covering Etihad’s operations, aviation fundamentals and safety
standards, the students joined operational teams and worked alongside
experienced professionals.
Their projects covered
engineering, fleet health monitoring, crew planning and guest experience. The
interns applied data analytics and artificial intelligence to address
operational challenges, developing analytical tools to support planning and
decision-making while exploring ways to enhance passenger experiences.
Etihad and Khalifa
University said the programme reflects a broader focus on preparing Emiratis
for future-oriented careers in areas including AI, engineering and advanced
operations.
The initiative
prioritised depth of experience over participant numbers, with each intern
given meaningful mentorship and opportunities to contribute to projects with
potential applications beyond the internship.
The latest programme
reinforces the partnership between the airline and university as they seek to
strengthen links between education and industry while developing technical
capabilities aligned with the UAE’s long-term aviation and innovation goals.
Dr Nadia
Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad
Airways, said: “Nurturing national talent is at the heart of how Etihad is
shaping 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. 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. We look forward to welcoming many of them into our
specialised workforce, where they will help carry the nation's name around the
world."
That
capability is built inside one of the most demanding environments in the
airline, where the interns worked directly within the teams that keep Etihad
flying.
Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations &
Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "Operations is where the complexity,
precision and pace of aviation come together, and it offers an exceptional
environment for young UAE Nationals to see how their skills can make a real
impact. Through this programme, the interns contribute to live projects across
areas critical to Etihad's performance, from engineering and planning to
data-driven decision making and the guest experience. As we continue to grow,
we need talent who understand both the technical demands of aviation and the
responsibility of serving guests every day, and this partnership inspires
promising Emirati students to build their careers at the heart of our
industry."
For Khalifa
University, the programme's value is measured in the growth of the students
themselves.
Dr Waleed Alameri, Associate Provost –
Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at
Khalifa University, said: “What matters most is seeing our students discover
what they are capable of when given the right opportunity, trust and guidance.
At Khalifa University, we believe experiences like this are an important
extension of learning beyond the classroom, allowing students to test their
abilities, build confidence and recognise the value they can bring to
real-world challenges. We are proud to see them grow through these experiences
and return with greater ambition, maturity and readiness to make their mark. Their success is ultimately what makes
partnerships like this meaningful.” -TradeArabia News Service
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