MoHESR and Etihad Airways Join Forces to Boost National Scholarship Programme and Emirati Workforce Integration
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has signed a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways to advance the National Scholarship Programme, offering Emirati students enhanced opportunities for higher education and a streamlined pathway into the UAE's aviation industry.
This initiative reinforces MoHESR’s efforts to align educational strategies with the UAE’s economic priorities by forging impactful partnerships with key players in both the public and private sectors.
Through the collaboration, Emirati students will receive scholarships in high-demand fields and pursue degrees at top-ranked international universities. Target specialisations, institutions, and countries will be identified jointly by MoHESR and Etihad Airways. The partnership also includes career guidance, vocational training, and mentorship to equip students for roles in aviation, engineering, logistics, and other strategic sectors within Etihad Airways.
H.E. Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector and Director of the International Education Support and Scholarships Department at MoHESR, stated:
“This partnership with Etihad Airways is a vital step in synchronizing our scholarship offerings with national labour market demands. It represents our commitment to nurturing highly skilled Emirati professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s economic future through education aligned with strategic sector needs.”
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government, and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, remarked:
“Etihad Airways is proud to support the growth of national talent. By linking academic pursuits with practical, industry-specific experience, we aim to prepare students for leadership roles in aviation and strengthen the UAE’s long-term competitiveness on the global stage.”
MoHESR will oversee the academic journey of scholarship recipients, managing performance evaluations and addressing exceptional cases. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways will provide students with hands-on training, structured career development plans, and post-graduation support to ensure smooth integration into the workforce.
Additionally, the collaboration involves ongoing monitoring and data sharing to assess programme outcomes, enabling continuous refinement of the scholarship scheme to meet future national talent needs.
