People sat at desks during a training course at The Sharjah Training Centre for Airports Science

H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the Sharjah Training Centre for Airports Science on Wednesday morning, the 22nd of January 2025.

Sharjah Crown Prince inaugurates Sharjah Training Centre for Airports Science

Sheikh Khaled bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of the Sharjah Training Centre for Airports Science, delivered a speech welcoming the Crown Prince and attendees.

He emphasised that the centre’s opening highlights the department’s commitment to advancing the civil aviation system, enhancing the skills of sector employees, and focusing on increasing Emirati representation in the workforce.

Sheikh Khaled noted that the Emirate of Sharjah continues to excel in various fields, including aviation, aligning with the visionary goals set by the UAE leadership. He also mentioned the country’s significant progress in this vital sector, becoming a global aviation hub through major investments in infrastructure and technology.

He highlighted the UAE’s international partnerships and its commitment to sustainability, with efforts to use advanced technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of the aviation industry.

He also spoke about the importance of legislative, regulatory, and technical development in aviation, as well as improving the efficiency of personnel and equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their roles while encouraging innovation.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Authority, Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority, and other senior officials from the aviation sector.

The inauguration was also attended by Samantha Rowles, Serco’s Middle East Operations Director for Transport on behalf of Serco Middle East Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Phil Malem, representing the collaborative effort between the Department of Civil Aviation and Serco to cultivate the next generation of aviation professionals.

The Crown Prince and guests watched a presentation about the establishment of the Sharjah Training Centre for Airports Science, its services, and training programmes.

Afterwards, the Crown Prince toured the facility, which is specifically designed for professional aviation training and accredited by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). He explored the specialised classrooms, simulators, library, and café within the centre.

The Crown Prince learned about the centre’s latest specifications and the modern technology used in the equipment, which supports the aviation sector. He was briefed on the centre’s specialised training courses, including air traffic controller training and aviation security, all aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of participants.

The centre is designed to prepare students to become certified air traffic controllers and develop a skilled local workforce ready for the aviation industry, equipped with the latest programmes and technologies.

The centre features a 3D simulation system similar to those in air traffic control towers. It can simulate the majority of the airports and airspaces worldwide and all the scenarios including ordinary and non-ordinary scenarios. The simulator system allows users to communicate wirelessly, using radio frequency, with trainers acting as pilots and ground staff and train student vehicle operators and airport ground crew across a range of scenarios, aircraft and vehicles types.

The Crown Prince also met Maryam Al Hammadi, Sharjah’s first female air traffic controller, who graduated from the centre. She explained the work of air traffic controllers, including communication with aircraft and managing air traffic.

The Crown Prince visited the centre’s classrooms, accommodating over 100 students, and met with students from the UAE and abroad. He also learned about the development of airport police and customs through specialised training programmes and workshops focused on airport security and the use of advanced detection devices.

Samantha Rowles, Operations Director, Transport – Serco Middle East said: