Wanted: More Emiratis, for sake of aviation future

Captain Tilmann Gabriel.

The programme director of City University London's aviation management programme is calling for more Emiratis to enrol and take part in the future of the UAE's aviation sector.
City University London - popularly known simply as 'City' - currently offers three MSc aviation-related programmes at the university's Dubai Centre, in air transport management, air safety management, and aircraft maintenance. A fourth programme, in airport management, will be added in the summer of 2016.
Approximately 500 students are currently enrolled in City's Dubai-based aviation programmes. Each year, between 100 and 150 students are inducted into the programme, with an equal number of graduates. Students - who are required to undergo prior vocational training and have an aviation background - usually study part-time and graduate after three years.
This year's students, however, included only three GCC nationals, of which one was Emirati.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, programme director Captain Tilmann Gabriel called for more UAE and other GCC nationals to enrol and help Dubai achieve its goals of becoming a global aviation hub.
"It's very important. The aviation industry is growing at six to eight per cent growth per year. It is doubling every 15 years, especially in the Middle East, which is the hub of future airline development," he said. "This obviously means a greater need of managerial capabilities. They (the UAE and GCC) cannot always hire from outside."
"We should concentrate on having airlines grow their staff's capabilities and knowledge," he said. In an effort to include more Emiratis, Gabriel said that City has recently decided to hold another induction workshop in May of 2016. "This group will have quite a few Emiratis," he said. "We've also had quite a few in the past."
Gabriel encouraged Emiratis interested in the programmes and in a long-term career in the aviation industry to first gain experience in the field, whether through a job or some form of vocational training.
"Once you are in the industry and you're thinking about you're future... I'm encouraging people, especially Emiratis, to get your masters," he said. "In most of the Middle Eastern airlines, especially Emirates and Etihad, you have to have a masters to grow your career."
"That's in line with the intentions of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to grow Emirati knowledge and capabilities, to lead the future of the country and the companies," he added.
Gabriel also said that the forthcoming airport management programme fills a vital gap ahead as Dubai's Maktoum Airport continues its massive expansion programme.
"This is highly needed and will bring a steep growth of students from the airport environment. Airport managers currently do not have a masters degree for their specific interest," he said. "There is huge airport growth in the Middle East, especially in the UAE."
To date, almost 1,100 students have graduated from City's MSc Aviation Management courses.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com