Etihad Airways. Photo: kamilpetran / Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have completed another joint internship program aimed at preparing Emirati students for careers in aviation, engineering and emerging technologies.
The eight-week program brought together 10 high-performing Khalifa University students studying Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science and Data Analytics. Selected through a competitive, merit-based process, the students moved from the classroom into Etihad’s operational environment, gaining practical experience while working alongside experienced aviation professionals.
The program was designed to give each intern meaningful responsibility and close mentorship rather than simply focusing on the number of participants. After an initial induction covering Etihad’s operations, aviation fundamentals and safety standards, the students joined teams across the airline’s Operations functions.
Their work covered several areas of the business, including engineering, fleet health monitoring, crew planning and the guest experience. The interns also used data analytics and artificial intelligence to address real operational challenges, developing analytical tools to support planning and decision-making and examining new ways to improve the passenger experience.
Because the students worked as part of their respective teams, their projects were designed to deliver practical results that could continue to have value beyond the internship itself.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, said developing national talent was central to the airline’s plans for the future of aviation in the UAE.
“This program brings that commitment to life by building genuine national capability in the disciplines that will define our industry for decades to come,” Bastaki said.
She added that the partnership with Khalifa University provides students with the skills and experience needed to pursue specialized careers within the aviation sector.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said the airline’s operational environment gives young UAE Nationals an opportunity to see how their technical skills can have a direct impact.
The interns worked on projects covering engineering, planning, data-driven decision-making, and guest experience, providing exposure to some of the functions required to keep a major international airline operating.
For Khalifa University, the program represents an extension of students’ academic education into the workplace. Dr. Waleed Alameri, Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, said practical experiences allow students to test their abilities, build confidence and better understand the contribution they can make to real-world challenges.
The internship is part of Etihad’s wider UAE National Talent Strategy, which aims to increase the airline’s Emirati workforce across operational, technical and corporate roles.