Established with a vision to be one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education in aviation related disciplines, Emirates Aviation University (EAU) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a proven track record of preparing students for future success.
The Dubai-based institution, launched in 1991 as part of the Emirates Group, was awarded university status in December 2010 by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The university has on its rolls around 2,600 students at present studying different programmes. They hail from countries around the world and from various nationalities residing in Dubai. UAE nationals make up about 20 per cent and the rest are from many other nationalities, including expatriate Arabs, Africans, Asians and Europeans. 'The progression is on–going and our target is 5,000 students by 2020,' says vice-chancellor Dr Ahmad Al Ali, in an interview with
TTN.'The university has grown from a vocational institution to where it is now – a renowned university, recognised and licensed by national and international awarding bodies and authorities, offering a variety of specialised undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,' he says.The university offers a wide range of aviation related programmes at the level of bachelor and master’s. These include aeronautical engineering, aerospace technology, aviation management, air transport management, HR management, psychology, aviation safety/security and logistics and supply chain management. 'Our programmes are unique, in the sense that they are developed to meet market needs, future aspirations and industry requirements. In addition, we offer a pilot training programme (ATPL) that is integrated within our degree programme. Graduates of the programme will have the benefit of a professional pilot’s licence in addition to a bachelor’s degree,' says Dr Ali.
GUARANTEE  |
Dr Ali ... meeting market needs |
The university draws a considerable number of young UAE nationals to enroll into its programmes and helps them find jobs in the country’s aviation sector. Currently there are over 250 local students studying air transport management at EAU, all of them sponsored by Emirates airline and are guaranteed jobs when they graduate. The first batch of 20 is due to graduate by end of 2016, he says. In addition, it also has a number of self-sponsored local students on the programme.The university’s programmes are accredited by various the authorities in the UAE, including the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the National Qualifications Authority (NQA). 'Our programmes are dually awarded by EAU and Coventry University in the UK, so that our graduates have the benefit of both national and international recognition,' says Dr Ali.The most sought-after courses at the university are MBA in aviation management, BSc in air transport management and BSc in aeronautical engineering.About 40 cadet pilots come out of the university every year on average. 'The demand for commercial pilots is increasing month after month, particularly, in the region. The entry requirements and assessments that take place before joining the programme as well as the intensity of the programme, makes it very challenging,' says Dr Ali.The university also offers scholarships to students that meet its criteria. Only those that achieve a 90 per cent or equivalent at high school are considered for scholarships, continues Dr Ali.The university is closely associated with the Emirates airline, being part of the Emirates Group. 'Our engineering students complete their on-job-training at Emirates Engineering hangers and they receive the required training by Emirates engineers. The same applies to our business and aviation management students who complete their internships with Emirates in different business units within the group. Graduates on the other hand have a priority in terms of recruitment if they meet the requirements,' Dr Ali adds.On expansion plans, Dr Ali says a number of projects are amongst the university’s strategic plan for the next academic year.
