Abu Dhabi University launches MBA in Aviation Management

In a bid to contribute to the nation’s booming aviation industry, Abu Dhabi University’s College of Business Administration announced the launch of the capital’s first Master of Business Administration in Aviation Management in strategic collaboration with “Etihad Airways”. Designed by aviation professionals and accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research as well as the AACSB, the program aims to equip its graduates with the managerial skills of an MBA as well as ensure they gain the highly coveted skills they need to excel in airline and airport operations, aviation regulations, safety, and quality management systems as well as aircraft fleet strategy.  

The MBA in Aviation Management is a 33 credit hour program that can be completed in one year. The program accepts applications from working professionals of any nationality with a degree in any professional aviation qualification such as a Commercial Pilot License, Aircraft Engineer, Mechanic License, Cabin Crew License, Dispatch Licensees or a military qualification.

Commenting on this unique addition to the University’s academic offerings, Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University explained that the MBA in Aviation Management was designed based on in-depth comprehensive studies of current and future projections of the labor market’s needs of specialized national cadres equipped with the skills needed to compete in this ever-growing vital field. “With the monumental growth that the aviation industry has witnessed in the United Arab Emirates, through the continuous efforts of its national airlines, it was essential for us as one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions to be the pioneers in offering the MBA in Aviation Management in Abu Dhabi.  This unique program was designed based on international models from around the world and is accredited as part of the College’s international academic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business –AACSB”, said Dr. Ibrahim.

On this new collaboration with ADU, Captain Salah Alfarajalla Etihad Airways’ Vice President Aviation Security and National Pilot Development, said: “We are pleased to launch this new MBA programme with Abu Dhabi University as part of our commitment to train and develop a national workforce of skilled and motivated aviation professionals. This programme will provide young professionals with an internationally accredited qualification allowing them to play key roles in the airline’s fast paced and constantly evolving business.”

Wissam Hachem, Etihad Airways Vice President Learning and Development, said : “Collaborations and partnerships with national educational institutions continue to play an important part in our efforts at recruiting, retaining and developing our UAE national workforce. We have continuously collaborated with Abu Dhabi University and have been offering a four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation science. Today we are pleased to expand this partnership to include a masters’ programme in aviation management and offer our national workforce with even more fantastic opportunities for development and progression.” 

On his part, Dr. Jacob Chacko, Dean of ADU’s College of Business Administration stresses that the program benefits working professionals in the aviation industry and its diverse courses were developed with input from renowned professors and aviation professionals. “Graduates from ADU’s MBA in Aviation Management can assess airport ownership models and management structures, investigate and explore management of terminal operations, analyze the environmental impact of the airport operations on the community, evaluate airport economics and financial arrangements, as well as critique current types of aircraft, their business, and commercial contribution to airline operations. Additionally, graduates will be equipped to analyze the legislative framework and primary means of assessing and ensuring airport operators provide a safe environment for aircraft operations, as well as formulate strategies for assessing a new aircraft type & its relevance for commercial application in an airline or operator, and formulate strategies for a corporate regulatory compliance culture using Safety Management Systems (SMS) & Quality Management Systems (QMS) to assist in meeting the regulations”, added Dr. Chacko. 

As the first student to enroll in the MBA in Aviation Management, Salwa Al Hadrami a Planning and Performance Manager with Etihad Airways’ Cadet Pilot Program is looking forward to the challenge.  She says: “I’m proud to be the first student to enroll in this unique and AACSB accredited program, and I will strive to set an example for my colleagues and any aviation professionals who which to develop their professional skills”.