Lockheed Martin Unveils Groundbreaking Summer Internship Initiative at Abu Dhabi’s Innovation and Security Hub
Lockheed Martin has recently welcomed its largest-ever summer internship cohort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Center for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS) in Abu Dhabi. This meritocratic program embraced 32 scholars from premier UAE universities, substantially enhancing the company’s commitment to Emiratization and the development of human capital within the aerospace and defense sector.
Approximately 50 percent of the newly recruited interns are female, 70 percent are Emirati nationals, and 30 percent hail from nine different countries spanning four continents, exemplifying the UAE’s rich and diverse talent reservoir. Over a period of three months, the interns will engage in practical experiences, working on tangible projects. The program facilitates a connection between academic education and industry application, ensuring that graduates are thoroughly equipped to offer valuable professional contributions.
“This unprecedented group of interns underscores our dedication to nurturing future leaders, scientists, and engineers from the UAE who will assume pivotal roles within our programs at Lockheed Martin as well as in the broader aerospace and defense realm,” stated Gen. John ‘Mick’ Nicholson (U.S. Army, Ret.), chief executive, Lockheed Martin Middle East. “By offering these students specialized training and mentorship opportunities, we aim to inspire and equip the upcoming generation of innovators who will contribute to the future of global security.”
Throughout their internship, the participants will collaborate closely with Lockheed Martin experts on various initiatives, including artificial intelligence algorithms for automating foreign object debris detection in critical settings, interdisciplinary research, modeling, and simulation efforts related to advanced defense systems, as well as space exploration projects.
“We are extremely excited to welcome such a multifaceted and talented group of students to our team,” remarked Hala Majeed Al Zargani, manager, Lockheed Martin CISS. “Our objective is to deliver a transformative experience that not only enhances their technical expertise but also cultivates innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, which will prove essential in overcoming complex future challenges.”
Lockheed Martin is firmly dedicated to creating a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to fulfill the impending needs of the aerospace and defense sectors. The company’s UAE-based internship initiative, which commenced in the summer of 2017 with merely four students, has consistently evolved into a year-round program featuring additional sessions in the spring and autumn.
In 2024, the organization anticipates graduating over 50 interns and plans to enhance its training capacity in the coming years as a key component of its overarching strategy to invest in UAE education and human capital development.
