Graduation of more than 200 students in the first edition of the AeroSTAR program

The AeroSTAR program helps students aged 15 to 18 make informed decisions about their educational and career paths after high school, and allows them to connect with leading companies to receive career guidance in the aviation and aerospace sector.

On this occasion, Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia, said: "The AeroSTAR program invests in building a solid base of local talent by stimulating students' interest in aviation careers and enabling them to acquire the skills necessary to lead the development of this sector. In light of expectations that aircraft fleets in the region will double over the next two decades, Boeing expects the Middle East to need 236,000 new aviation professionals, and the African continent to need 75,000 new professionals during this period."

Participating students underwent an intensive 60-hour training path that combined specialized aviation knowledge, personal skill development, and career guidance, in addition to a national presentation competition and a regional camp for final projects. The program showed a significant improvement in students' confidence in their career prospects, with more than 90% of participants stating that the program enhanced their interest in aviation and aerospace career paths.

For her part, Ambassador Greta C. Holtz, President and CEO of AMIDEAST, said: "The AeroSTAR program embodies the fundamental impact of opening direct communication channels between young talent and aviation and aerospace experts; it provided participating students with an important opportunity to experience the reality of work in the field and to see firsthand the diversity of career paths, thus opening up promising horizons for them that they had not considered. In this context, AMIDEAST and Boeing renew their commitment to expanding these practical experiences to enable youth to explore new future options and strive to achieve them."

Conclusion of the AeroSTAR program in Jordan

The program concluded with the organization of the AeroSTAR camp in Amman from October 9 to 12, where winning teams from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and the UAE gathered to participate in project presentations, specialized workshops on career guidance and planning, and field visits, including to Queen Alia International Airport, hosted by Airport International Group (AIG) as part of the partnership agreement between it and AMIDEAST, and a visit to the Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Company (Joramco), which is the engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. This gave students an exceptional opportunity to see behind the scenes of airport operations and inspect aircraft maintenance facilities equipped to the highest international standards.

His Excellency Dr. Raed Sami Al-Adwan, Jordanian Minister of Youth, said: "Preparing talent begins early by providing opportunities for youth to learn about aviation and aerospace fields, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, and building paths that link education to practical experience, helping youth make informed decisions about their educational and professional future."

For her part, Ms. Nour Al-Rashid, AMIDEAST Country Director in Jordan, said: "Through the AeroSTAR program, we seek to create an impact that extends beyond the end of the program by boosting youth confidence in their abilities and helping them take informed steps toward their future. Our partnership with Boeing and aviation sector institutions allows us to link learning to real-world experiences and open new horizons for students, so they carry with them the skills, relationships, and ambition that will support their educational and professional journey for years to come."

Next steps

The recruitment process for the next cohort of the AeroSTAR program will begin in October 2026, where students in participating countries will be able to submit their applications via the local AMIDEAST website in their respective countries.

The second edition of the program will see the participation of a larger number of youth to introduce them to the career prospects of jobs in the aviation and aerospace sector and provide them with the practical skills necessary to start their journey in this field.

About the AeroSTAR program

The AeroSTAR program is designed for students aged 15 to 18 and combines the exploration of career paths in the aviation and aerospace sector with the development of a set of personal skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, leadership, and creative thinking. Throughout the program, participants from the Middle East and North Africa region undergo an integrated educational journey that includes:

• AeroSTAR Academy: A 60-hour educational experience that combines soft skills with specialized content in the aviation sector, interspersed with the participation of a group of guest speakers and experts in the sector.

• AeroSTAR Challenge: A national competition during which student teams showcase their innovative solutions to experienced aviation professionals.

• AeroSTAR Camp: A regional experience that brings together the best-performing national teams to learn more about the aviation sector through field visits, mentoring, guidance, and career path introductions.

About AMIDEAST

AMIDEAST is a leading American non-profit organization dedicated to expanding horizons for education, training, and cultural exchange in the Middle East and North Africa for over 75 years, helping individuals acquire the knowledge and skills that enable them to succeed in their educational and professional journey. Through its network of regional offices and partnerships with governments, companies, educational institutions, and others, AMIDEAST provides English language learning and professional skill development programs, as well as testing services, academic programs, study abroad programs, and initiatives aimed at connecting youth with educational and professional opportunities.

To learn more, please visit the website: https://www.amideast.org/

About Boeing:

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As one of the largest exporters in the United States, Boeing leverages the talents and capabilities of a local and global supplier base to promote innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability efforts, and societal impact. For nearly six decades, Boeing has been keen to build a close partnership with Egypt, through which it has provided aircraft and services to meet its commercial and military needs, and contributed to enhancing aviation and defense capabilities and creating new job opportunities.