Etihad Emirati female trainee engineer wins academic excellence award

Above: His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, presents the excellence award to Muna Mohamed Al Hadharem, Etihad Airways’ technical engineering trainee.

Muna Mohamed Al Hadharem joined the Etihad Airways technical engineering programme in 2009 out of her love for flying and aviation. Her high ambitions, excellent academic and attendance records and perseverance have all been factors in her winning the award.

“I first attended the Abu Dhabi Industry Awards Ceremony in 2009 and I decided back then that one day I was going to win one of these awards, and here I am today!” she said, adding: “I have worked extremely hard to reach this point thanks in large part to the support of my family, teachers, and mentors in Etihad Airways.

“I plan to continue studying and hopefully one day travel to the USA to pursue my dream of studying astronomy and conduct studies that will benefit the UAE. I can only hope my accomplishment encourages many of my Emirati sisters and brothers to push the boundaries and reach their goals.”

Etihad Airways’ engineering programme, was established in 2008 in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technologies and Al Ain International Aviation Academy to give trainees the opportunity to obtain a B1 (Engineering License in Airframe and Engines) or B2 (Avionics) license in Aviation Engineering Technology. The program is accredited by both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Currently 86 trainees are enrolled in the programme, nine of them women.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Operations Officer, Richard Hill, said: “Etihad Airways is committed to developing a skilled and qualified cadre of Emirati engineers to join its technical division. We are extremely proud of all our trainees and especially of Muna who is considered a leader in our expanding Emirati female engineers’ community and a role model for her colleagues to follow.”