Press Releases

Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata), the advanced composite aero-structures manufacturing facility wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, has signed a mutual collaboration agreement with the University Leadership Council (ULC), the leading non-profit organization engaged in human capital enhancement in the UAE. The agreement creates an opportunity to foster joint educational and capacity building initiatives, bringing together the country’s top universities in an ongoing dialogue between academia, the public sector, and industry.

The agreement focuses on developing an informed generation of aerospace talent in the Middle East region, positioning the aerospace sector as a preferred career choice amongst young talent, and raising awareness about the UAE’s achievements in technology and innovation.

A key area of focus under the agreement will be the development of a new generation of aerospace talent across the Middle East, and the promotion of the aerospace sector as a top career choice for UAE youth. It will also raise awareness of the significant advancements the UAE has achieved in this complex field of technology and innovation, in accordance with the vision of the UAE leadership to develop a sustainable knowledge economy.

The strategic partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony attended by Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Human Capital & Corporate Officer, Mubadala; Ismail Ali Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer, Strata; and Professor Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, the Secretary-General of the ULC, along with Presidents of the UAE’s leading universities as members of the ULC steering committee.

Within the mutual collaboration partnership, Strata will be the key strategic technology and innovation partner, tasked with exposing UAE university graduates to the unique opportunities that careers in technological advancement and innovation have to offer. This will include a professional development exchange program between the two organizations; a mentorship program capitalizing on experiential learning initiatives such as internship opportunities for university students and fresh graduates; and an Emiratization talent portfolio.

It will also see the establishment of a business-oriented Strategic Dialogue Series, bringing together stakeholders from industry, academia, and the public sector in high-level convocations designed to sustain and enhance knowledge-sharing and collaborative R&D projects, and offering in-depth talks and insights on career development from Strata’s leadership team. Furthermore, Strata will join the Arab Knowledge Forum as its leading Technology & Innovation Strategic Partner.

Ismail Ali Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer of Strata, said: “Strata’s talented workforce play a hugely active, impactful, and valuable role in the aerospace sector as they manufacture components for the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus and Boeing. Looking to the future, we have ambitious work packages in place up to 2030, and our success in achieving our vision of becoming one of the top composite aero-structure manufacturing companies worldwide will depend on the capabilities of our people – those who are already part of our team, and those who will join in the months and years to come. Identifying and nurturing the best young talent is crucial for the aerospace industry, a high-tech sector that must be driven by people with an appetite for continuous learning and development. Furthermore, one of our key priorities – aligning with the vision of the UAE leadership – is to constantly provide opportunities for talented Emiratis to develop their skills within the aerospace industry. Our partnership with ULC will inspire the region’s youth to build promising careers in this emerging field.”

Professor Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, the Secretary-General of the University Leadership Council, said: “We could not be more pleased with the conclusion of an agreement for mutual collaboration with a leader of industry than we are today in signing this strategic partnership and joint collaborative endeavors with Strata. Strata is a most impressive translation of the UAE’s far-sighted leadership vision, as it illustrates the development of Emirati talent at its best. It meets the complex challenges of technological innovation and creativity that are essential to a robust knowledge economy; and it offers an unparalleled contribution to the enhancement of human capital in the UAE. The strategic partnership agreement with Strata is therefore a deep sign of confidence and trust which we particularly pride ourselves in. The skills that Emiratis hone within Strata are additional illustrations of the unique talent our youth has to offer, and yet more evidence of the relevance of knowledge-sharing and collaborative R&D projects to sustainable nation-building in our beloved UAE.”

Since its inception, Strata has established itself as a tier-one supplier for global aviation players such as Airbus and Boeing. The homegrown aircraft composites manufacturer regularly upskills its 700-strong workforce through comprehensive professional training initiatives geared towards the realization of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. One example of Strata’s commitment to developing human potential can be seen in the current participation of its engineers in a nine-month training program at Boeing in the US, focused on manufacturing engineering and design and stress engineering.

Launched as a collaborative platform focusing on building capacity and the enhancement of human capital through empowering the UAE’s brightest students, the ULC brings together the UAE’s foremost higher education institutions in joint collaborative endeavors and fruitful dialogues with industry and the public sector to enhance the educational ecosystem of the UAE.