State-of-the-art education and training facility, Emirates Aviation University (EAU) moved late last year to a four-square-kilometre-large new campus in Dubai Academic City.
The institution opened back in 1991, offering a diverse range of professional vocational training programmes. Since then, the curriculum has grown in line with the UAE’s booming economy and burgeoning aerospace and tourism industries. More than 15,000 students have since graduated from the university, while the number of full-time students has increased from 300 to 2,200 during the past few years.INDUSTRY-RELEVANT COURSESEmirates Aviation University celebrated its second graduating class earlier this year, honouring more than 250 students: 68 students from the bachelor’s degree programmes, 184 from higher diplomas programmes, 39 Emirates Group employees and 19 graduates from the pilot training programme. Emirates Aviation University offers new and industry-relevant programmes including: master’s degrees in aviation security, aviation safety, human resource management and human resource development. It also offers MBAs in aviation management; bachelor’s degrees in aerospace technology, logistics and supply chain management, avionics technology, aeronautical engineering, aviation management and applied business; diplomas and higher diplomas in aerospace engineering, electronics engineering and computing, computing software development, business management and tourism management.The university is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai as well as the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. In addition, it is a Pearson (UK) approved centre.As well as vocational programmes, the university also has a post-graduate unit which, in association with the UK’s Coventry University, offers distinctive MBA, MA, MSc programmes for professionals within the aviation industry, as well as other fields.
FUTURE PLANS'Emirates Aviation University has been a pioneer in the region’s aviation industry,' says Dr Ahmad Al Ali, vice-chancellor Emirates Aviation University. 'We are aiming to be the worldwide leader when it comes to training in aviation, and related fields, is concerned. In this new campus, we have a large scope of expansion; and as the demand grows, we will go into the second phase of development.'The facilities in this new campus cost Dh200 million on their own, Dr Al Ali informs us. 'The MBA in aviation management is going strong and is probably one of the most popular courses that we offer. We also offer aeronautical engineering, both theoretical and practical. The aircraft maintenance engineering programme is also very popular.'We are launching this September a master’s programme in occupational psychology, approved by British Psychological Society and in collaboration with Coventry University in the UK, and that will be offered as blended learning platform rather than completely by itself. We will also be introducing online learning through this course.'
AIRWAYS NZ PARTNERSHIPEarlier this year, Emirates Aviation University partnered with Airways New Zealand to launch a dedicated air traffic control training centre at the new university campus.Airways New Zealand – a leading air navigation services provider in the country - will deliver air traffic control training for to up to 200 students per year at EAU over the next five years.'There is a global shortage of air traffic controllers, which has serious repercussions for the aviation industry – particularly in this part of the world where air traffic is expected to continue growing. This new joint venture allows us to capitalise on Airways’ 20 years of experience in training controllers around the world, and to provide a highly-specialised resource that our industry so desperately needs for future development,' says Dr Al Ali.'Emirates Aviation University already has a track record and reputation for providing world-class aviation training. This partnership with Airways complements our existing training programmes and further cements our position as the leading centre for aviation-related training and education. Airways NZ has worked in the Middle East region more than 15 years delivering ATC ab-initio training, short courses and recruitment solutions.'The training provided at EAU will be aligned with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, which means graduates are well prepared to achieve ratings at most airports and radar centres around the world,' he says.
STUDENT PRIORITY'Our programmes are not just accredited by Coventry but also validated, which means that students who graduate from here get two degrees, one provided by us and one by Coventry. 'Students are our priority here. We don’t believe in just delivering the programme and collecting the fees. We want to give something of value to our students,' he concludes.