The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a partnership with Etihad Airways to support the National Scholarship Programme. This initiative aims to offer scholarships in key fields, allowing students to fast-track their careers with one of the leading aviation companies in the UAE.

Credit: Gulf Today

This collaboration is part of MoHESR’s ongoing efforts to improve scholarship strategies by working with prominent public and private sector organizations. The partnership is designed to help Emirati students pursue degrees at top international universities in selected fields that align with national priorities.

Both MoHESR and Etihad Airways will work together to identify target universities, countries, and specializations, along with the criteria for selecting students. In addition to academic support, students will receive vocational training and career guidance to prepare them for future roles in strategic areas such as aviation, engineering, and logistics.

Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector and Director of the International Education Support and Scholarships Department at MoHESR, emphasized the importance of this partnership. He stated that the collaboration reflects their commitment to align scholarships with the UAE’s economic needs, highlighting the role of public-private partnerships in empowering students to succeed in the future labor market.

Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government, and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, expressed pride in empowering Emirati talent through this partnership. She noted that the initiative aims to bridge academic learning with practical experience, preparing students to contribute to the future of aviation and enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness.

MoHESR will oversee the academic progress of the scholarship recipients and manage any exceptional cases. In turn, Etihad Airways will provide students with hands-on training, career guidance, and ongoing support throughout their studies while also participating in performance evaluations.

The airline plans to design structured career paths for students, which will include training programs before and after graduation. This collaboration also entails post-graduation follow-ups, with data sharing and feedback mechanisms to assess the program’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement for future student cohorts.