One hundred of the UAE’s brightest student prospects got a unique opportunity to network with the world’s most influential figures in the aviation, aerospace and space industries at the Global Aerospace Summit, which took place in Abu Dhabi at the St. Regis hotel on Monday April 16th and Tuesday April 17th 2012.

Unlike other aviation and aerospace events, the Summit was developed with education and career development as a central proposition. 100 top engineering students drawn from various Universities across the UAE, were selected to attend the Summit’s ‘Careers Direct’ sessions, a strategically-focused careers program supported by Bombardier, Arianespace, Angelicum Space Investments and MEBAA (Middle East Business Aviation Association).

On Day One of the Summit, these aspiring industry leaders had the opportunity to take part in aerospace-focused technical problem-solving exercises, followed by a panel discussion on ‘Encouraging Young Nationals to consider Aviation, Aerospace and Space careers’. On Day Two the students had the opportunity to visit some of Abu Dhabi’s leading aviation and aerospace employers – Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), Yahsat, and TPI – to gain essential practical insights.

Throughout the Summit, they have had the opportunity to meet and socialize with company representatives, mentors, and advisors. Students were able to access information on different aerospace players, career choices, and programmes of study related to Aerospace science, engineering and technology.

The Careers Direct sessions reflect a wider commitment by Mubadala Aerospace, who are presenting Global Aerospace Summit 2012, and its assets to Emiratisation and capacity building through education. Already this year, 62 Emirati nationals have begun careers at Strata Manufacturing, having graduated from an intensive 10 month course to qualify them as composite aircraft technicians. The course is designed to provide students with the core competencies needed to become composite aircraft technicians and forms part of a longer 22 month program of study that includes on the job training at Strata, Mubadala Aerospace’s advanced composite aerostructures plant in Al Ain.

Other recent Mubadala Aerospace and Strata initiatives in this crucial area have included opening an Aero Factory in Dubai’s KidZania® to offer children the opportunity to role-play as aerospace engineers, and holding a series of careers roadshows with university students throughout February and March.

“The Summit has had an impact on citizens from the United Arab Emirates, through these careers focused sessions,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, Executive Director of Mubadala Aerospace. “Careers Direct shows that the Summit is not just about two days’ isolated activity; these sessions epitomize our commitment – and that of our event partners – to ongoing, sustainable skills development that will make a vital contribution towards Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 goals.”

Event partners Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Yahsat and MEBAA , are equally proactive in these areas.

Mr. Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of MEBAA who is one of the key speakers during the event comments: “MEBAA is an industry association protecting and promoting business aviation in the region, so we are excited about our involvement in Careers Direct. We are eager to create a passion and flair amongst young Emiratis for aircraft and space technology as well as promote it as an exciting and promising career. Careers Direct is a welcome step in this direction and it will generate a sustainable interest in aviation amongst the youth of this nation”.

Yahsat, UAE’s flagship satellite company, has made Emiratisation one of its priority areas, and is actively encouraging Emiratis to join in the fields of technology, engineering, marketing and business. Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Yahsat Chief Executive Officer, added: “The Global Aerospace Summit is a great platform for up and coming talent from the UAE to learn and gain firsthand experience into the challenging yet exciting and rewarding career of space, aerospace and aviation. At Yahsat we are focused on developing local talent and we are proud to have around 60% of our workforce built up of Emirati Nationals. Our team is always on the lookout for keen graduates yearning to learn more and develop their skills in the field of space, aerospace engineering and aviation.”

Dr. Othman Khouri, VP Human Resources and Administration at ADAC, General Manager of the Gulf Centre of Aviation Studies (GCAS): “ADAC is very proud that twenty of its UAE National employees participated in the Global Aerospace Summit to gain exposure to innovation and the future of the industry. ADAC is committed to driving the future of aviation in the emirate and across the region through investing in its Human Capital as aviation and airport professionals, allowing them to become experts and leaders through its leading airport and aviation training centre, the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS). ADAC will be looking forward to this summit and conference supporting the capital’s aerospace vision of becoming a hub for international aviation with professional talents driving the industry.”

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