A worker at one of Strata's manufacturing facilities at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park. Courtesy Strata Manufacturing
A worker at one of Strata's manufacturing facilities at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park. Courtesy Strata Manufacturing
A worker at one of Strata's manufacturing facilities at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park. Courtesy Strata Manufacturing
A worker at one of Strata's manufacturing facilities at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park. Courtesy Strata Manufacturing

Mubadala and Boeing to offer internships for young Emirati engineers


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Dozens of Emirati engineering students are set to benefit from an internship programme run by Boeing and the Mubadala Investment Company.

On Thursday, the two companies renewed a partnership aimed at growing the skills of young Emiratis in the fields of aviation and aerospace.

The programme was established between the Abu Dhabi state fund and the world’s largest aerospace company in 2015 in an effort to create career opportunities for Emirati engineering students in the aerospace engineering field.

During the 18-week internship, students are taken through technical aspects of aerospace engineering, from fabrication to manufacturing and industrial engineering in Boeing facilities in the US.

Since its launch four years ago, 40 Emiratis have graduated from the internship and gone on to secure jobs with Mubadala firms involved in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair and satellite communication.

Helping young Emiratis gain insight into the workings of an international firm such as Boeing is part of Mubadala’s goal of positioning Abu Dhabi as a global aerospace hub, the company said in a statement.

“To continue the development of the UAE’s aerospace industry, it is essential we invest in our most valuable asset, our youth, to build the future generation of aerospace professionals who will continue building the sector in the UAE,” said Badr Al Olama, head of Mubadala Aerospace.

Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said the company was pleased to collaborate to provide aerospace engineering expertise and grow the UAE’s aeronautical capabilities.

The partnership began a decade ago to develop initiatives that could benefit both companies.

The country’s aviation sector is set to grow and the internship programme is part of a wider ambition to identify talent to keep pace with demand.

Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt

Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure

Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile

Started: 2013

Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

How to book

Call DHA on 800342

Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation text message

Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
DHA medical personnel will take a nasal swab

Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’