Etihad Airways Medical Centre (EAMC), the UAE’s first aeromedical facility, and Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS) of The Institute of Applied Technology, have announced a new partnership to support the training and continued development of Emirati nurses in Abu Dhabi.

The partnership, which is the first of its kind in the UAE, forms an important part of EAMC’s strategy to employ more Emirati female healthcare professionals, as the airline remains committed to realising the vital economic potential of women and their important role in driving the emirate’s transformation into a thriving knowledge based economy. The agreement also supports FCHS’s vision to be a key provider of excellence in health sciences education in the UAE.   

The agreement was signed by Dr Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Airways vice president - Medical Services, and Dr Daryl A. Cornish - director, Fatima College of Health Sciences.

The EAMC sponsorship programme will provide up to three students a year with a unique opportunity to pursue a rewarding and challenging career in the nursing profession with Etihad Airways. EAMC will also give the selected students the opportunity to become pioneers in aviation and occupational nursing as a recognized training centre, following a recently signed agreement with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Students will be selected for sponsorship based on their robust academic performance to date.

Successful students will receive a monthly stipend from the airline and will meet EAMC clinical staff members regularly to discuss their progress. After graduation, students will be offered full-time employment with the airline.

Dr Bastaki said: “We are honoured to announce our partnership with Fatima College of Health Sciences. This agreement provides a unique opportunity for EAMC to encourage female UAE nationals to pursue a career in nursing and explore the fields of aviation and occupational medicine, when they will have the opportunity to become a pioneer in this area of medicine.”

In March 2016, EAMC and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) announced a pioneering new partnership to provide the airline with educational, training, research and operational excellence opportunities in the field of Occupational Medicine. The collaboration, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, enabled Etihad Airways to enhance the medical and broader wellbeing services it provides, whilst also marking a significant step in the airline’s vision to be the global leader in Aviation Medicine.

The EAMC serves the airline’s 23,000 Abu Dhabi based employees, providing full laboratory services, physiotherapy, radiology, dental care, nutrition counselling, ear, nose and throat services, and primary care. Nurses from FCHS who successfully gain employment with Etihad Airways will have the option to work across a number of disciplines in addition to aviation health services.

Dr Ahmed Al Awar, managing director of The Institute of Applied Technology, said: “This agreement forms an important part of our ongoing efforts to encourage more Emirati nationals to enter into fulfilling professions within the healthcare sector as we continue to play a vital part in ensuring its rapid growth and expansion.  Our partnership with Etihad Airways will enable a select number of our most talented nurses to pursue careers with one of the UAE’s largest companies as well as gaining invaluable experience in the field of aviation medicine.” - TradeArabia News Service