DAE University outlines roadmap for 2008 and beyond

"DAE University competes with the largest and best known aviation and aerospace universities worldwide in terms of programme offerings and industry influence. DAE University's Centre for Research and Innovation employs the expertise of our world-class faculty and of our university partners to offer the regional aviation and aerospace industries capabilities in applied research, and to meet the need for new technologies and business models. DAE University is positioned to become a global higher education leader in aviation and aerospace," stated Dr. Omar Mohammad Ahmed Bin Sulaiman, Managing Director of DAE.

Beginning with its inaugural cohort of students in the fall of 2007, DAE University will graduate its first class during the 2011 - 2012 academic year. Over the next few years, the University will continue to implement its vision for regionally available comprehensive aviation and aerospace education, thereby becoming the preferred regional resource for training and education. University plans include significant contributions to research and technology specialized around the aviation and aerospace industries.

Building on a year of rapid achievements, DAE University will in February 2008 open a new division, the DAE Flight Academy, whose programme delivers highly qualified first officer candidates in an accelerated 12 to 14 months. Eight new accredited programmes will also be launched by DAE University in 2008 - four each in the graduate and undergraduate streams - to funnel high-quality technical and business operations professionals into a dynamic industry.

Air traffic in the region is set to grow significantly as predicted by Boeing and Airbus while an aviation and aerospace market research firm has estimated the GCC and subcontinent will need nearly 700,000 skilled positions in the civil aviation sector to be filled by 2015. Our institution will be optimally placed to fulfil the industry's needs for the next two decades." said Dr George H Ebbs, President and CEO of DAE University.

Using local cost data and traffic trends to help new airlines develop business models for the region is one of the strengths of the Centre for Research and Innovation, one of DAE University's three divisions that will become fully operational over the next two-years. Similarly institutional in scope, the DAE Centre for Management Education provides continuing education for aviation and aerospace professionals by partnering with associations, government agencies, non-governmental entities, and universities. Hosted at the Centre, executive development events will bring together critical topics and the world's thought leaders from the industry

Dr. Dale Doreen, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Director of the Centre for Management Education, outlined the event activities: "Three major events are planned for between now and the end of June 2008. These will be an executive-level seminar on ground-breaking airline economic issues, a major conference on the impact of aviation on the environment, and a wide-ranging plenary as a follow-up to the airline economics seminar."

In the developing aviation and aerospace sector led by Emirates Airlines, DAE University with other group business units - engineering, manufacturing, services, airports and capital - is a major player. Dr. Irwin Price, SVP Chief Academic Officer and Provost, emphasised that in character with DAE's operations ethos, "DAE University has enjoyed a remarkable and very quick operational start up. Using innovative techniques and technologies the university will turn out better business leaders and engineers as well as better qualified aircraft technical engineers, air traffic controllers and meteorologists."