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 United Arab Emirates.
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 Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Airways’ Vice President -
Medical Services, 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.
Fatima College
of Health Sciences was established in 2006 to meet the United Arab Emirates
growing need for skilled healthcare professionals. The college initially
offered just one course – a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. However, it has since expanded to offer more than
10 degree programmes at BSc
Degree and Diploma levels in Health Sciences including Pharmacy, Paramedics,
Radiography Medical Imaging, and Physiotherapy, in collaboration with Monash
University in Australia.
The College’s
nursing programme has been designed by Griffith University in
Australia. In addition to the BSc Degree, the school of nursing offers a
bridging programme for diploma-holding practitioner nurses.
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.”