Etihad Aviation Group is taking part in Think Science Fair 2019, which is held on 24 February at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, as part of its efforts 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 Abu Dhabi edition of Think Science Fairs follows the successful event last week in Dubai, in which Etihad also participated.
The annual fair is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who is also the Chairman of the Emirates Foundation, which organises the fair in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Under the theme of ‘Seven Fairs for Seven Emirates’, the Think Science Fairs take place across all emirates this year.
Ibrahim Nassir, Chief Human Resources & Organisational Development Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Empowering the youth and engaging them in science and technology is a key driver of our efforts to draw more UAE talent to pursue careers in aviation and for Etihad to become the employer of choice for them in the near future.
“We are very proud to participate in the annual Think Science Fair, through our long-standing partnership with Emirates Foundation, and to play our role in achieving the national Science, Technology and Innovation Policy objectives.”
Through interactive demonstrations and discussions with experts, visitors to Etihad Aviation Group’s stand will get a chance to know more about the aviation biofuel project, led by the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology. The SBRC partners, including Khalifa University, Etihad Airways, Boeing, ADNOC, Safran, GE and BAUER Resources, announced last January the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 powered by GE’s GEnx-1B engines.
Samples of plant-based oil and mock-up components of the aviation biofuel, made in the UAE from plants grown in saltwater, are on display at the stand.
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.
The Think Science Fair is one of the biggest events of its kind in the region and attracts thousands of visitors every year, encouraging cooperation and interaction between young scientists and science and technology business sector.
The seventh edition of Think Science takes place across the UAE, with events in each emirate from February to 21 March. Over 70,000 UAE youth have benefited from the programme in recent years, and approximately 16,000 school and university students have participated in the competition since its inception.
