Etihad Group Engages Youth Across the UAE at Think Science Fair 2018

Etihad Aviation Group is taking part in the 2018 Think Science Fair, held this week in Dubai, as part of its commitment to encourage the youth across the UAE to engage with science and technology and pursue a career in the world of aviation and aircraft engineering.

The event, which runs from 16 to 18 April at Dubai World Trade Centre, is organised by the Emirates Foundation under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Emirates Foundation. 

Emirati pilots, cadets and engineers from Etihad Aviation Group will be present at the event to promote the aviation industry and its various career opportunities. 

Ibrahim Nassir, Senior Vice President Human Resources Etihad Airways and Deputy Group Chief People and Performance Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Developing the youth and engaging with them lies at the heart of our goal to attract UAE talents to work in aviation and drive innovation in science and technology.”

“By showcasing a number of future technologies and innovations at this year’s Think Science Fair, we hope this will inspire the youth attending the event to follow their dreams and join the ranks of the Emirati success stories at Etihad Aviation Group.”

Amani Al Hashmi, Head of UAE National Development at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “As we celebrate science and technology, we also honour the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed that ‘education of our people is a great wealth. We are proud of our educated nation because through knowledge and science we will open the horizons of a glorious future.' This is something we are trying to achieve at Etihad.”

Visitors to Etihad Aviation Group’s stand will be able to experience first-hand some of the experimental technologies in aviation, which include bag measurement and cargo container loading using augmented reality, line maintenance planning and task assignment using a smart device and crew collaboration and communications through smart watches.

The stand also offers visiting students the chance to experience what it is like to pilot an aircraft on a flight simulator, and test the students’ flying ability. Etihad engineers will be on hand to show visitors what could be the future tools for inspection of aircraft engine and spare parts using a smart phone.

A mock-up of a fuel draining system invented by Etihad Airways Engineering, which removes water condensate and residual fuel from aircraft fuel tanks in a short time, and 3D-printed cabin plastic parts are also on display at the stand.

Visitors will have the chance to try virtual reality entertainment technology, which Etihad Airways is currently trialling for a month at its flagship First Class Lounge and Spa and Business Class Premium Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport, to gather customer feedback to determine the airline’s future lounge entertainment offering at the upcoming Abu Dhabi’s state-of-the-art Midfield Terminal.

Sara Mohamed Al Naqbi, First Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "With events like Think Science, the UAE is actively paving the way for the youth to become the future leaders in science and technology. The aviation industry is heavily based on technological advancement and innovation, and we are confident many of the brilliant minds we meet today will contribute to this vital industry in the very near future."

The Think Science Fair is one of the biggest events of its kind in the region that attracts thousands of visitors every year, and encourages cooperation and interaction between young scientists and science and technology business sector. The event welcomed 52,000 young visitors over the past 5 years. 

The 6^th annual Think Science Fair is set to be the biggest yet, with 3 days of action packed activities that bring together thousands of youth from across the UAE to promote science, technology and innovation through interactive hands-on experiments, educational workshops and stage shows.