Boeing, in collaboration with 'Amideast', has launched a new educational program aimed at preparing high school students across the Middle East and North Africa for future careers in the aviation sector. According to a press release issued yesterday, over 200 students from the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait are participating in this year's 'AeroSTAR' program. They will be introduced to a wide range of core career paths in aviation, including engineering, research, manufacturing, safety, sustainability, customer support, and business administration. Fahd Al-Mahiri, Boeing's Vice President for the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa region, stated: 'The aviation sector is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern economies, and it is expected that this sector will need 234,000 new specialists in the next 20 years.' He added: 'This is where the importance of the (AeroSTAR) program lies, as it will introduce students to many of the leading professions in aviation in the region and the world, other than being a pilot or a flight crew member. Introducing students to the wide range of aviation specializations at early stages of their education contributes to preparing qualified local capable of supporting the growth of the aviation sector, whether in the region or abroad.' He explained that the program adopts an approach that combines learning and practical experience through three components: the 'AeroSTAR' Academy, which provides a practical 60-hour curriculum; the 'AeroSTAR Challenge', a competition where student teams from each country showcase their innovative solutions to aviation specialists; and the 'AeroSTAR Camp', a three-day experience held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, where top students get an up-close look at aviation operations. Greta C. Holtz, President and CEO of 'Amideast' in retirement, said: 'The program will help students make informed choices about their post-secondary education and future careers, and it gives them an opportunity to connect with mentors and employers in the aviation sector.' She clarified that the program targets students aged 15 to 18 in the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco, where 'Amideast' offices in each of the covered countries coordinate the participant selection process. Applicants must prepare applications that include a brief explanation and a short explanatory video and submit them online to the 'Amideast' website in their respective countries.
