Soaring Futures: Amideast and Boeing Unite to Cultivate the Next Generation of Aerospace Innovators in MENA
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, February 2, 2026 — Amideast and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have unveiled AeroSTAR, an innovative educational initiative aimed at equipping high school students throughout the Middle East and North Africa with skills for promising careers in the aerospace industry.
This year, over 200 students will participate in the AeroSTAR program spanning Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Participants will explore a wide array of career opportunities in engineering, research, manufacturing, safety, sustainability, customer support, and business management, thereby enriching the aerospace ecosystem.
“Aviation serves as a key pillar of Middle Eastern economies, with an anticipated demand for 234,000 new professionals within the next two decades,” stated Fahad Al Mheiri, Boeing’s president for the Middle East Gulf and North Africa. “AeroSTAR aims to demonstrate to students the multitude of exciting regional and global aviation careers that extend beyond being a pilot or cabin crew member. By engaging students early, we are helping to cultivate a local talent pipeline necessary for the growth of the aerospace sector in the region.”
The AeroSTAR program will seamlessly integrate education with industry exposure through three distinct components:
- AeroSTAR Academy: A comprehensive 60-hour hands-on STEM curriculum complemented by soft skills training, guest speakers, field visits, and aviation-related activities.
- AeroSTAR Challenge: A national competition where student teams propose innovative solutions to aerospace industry experts.
- AeroSTAR Camp: A three-day immersive experience in Amman, Jordan, where top-performing students delve into aviation operations, network with industry professionals, and outline their personal career trajectories.
“We are dedicated to empowering talented youth with the skills and experiences crucial for advancing their careers and bolstering their countries’ economic progress,” said Ambassador (ret) Greta C. Holtz, president of Amideast. “We take pride in extending and enhancing our partnership with Boeing in this vital endeavor.”
The AeroSTAR program aims to facilitate informed decisions regarding higher education and career paths while connecting students with mentors and employers within the aerospace sector. Eligible students aged 15–18 across Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and the UAE are encouraged to apply. Recruitment efforts are overseen by Amideast offices in each country; interested candidates should submit an online application comprising brief written responses and a short video via the local Amideast website. Selection will be based on motivation, creativity, communication skills, and a strong interest in aerospace.
