Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, recognized its top 10 performing Emirati female engineering trainees by giving them the chance to attend the 25th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference in Orlando, Florida.

The conference was organised by Women in Aviation International, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting women who are building their careers in the competitive aviation and aerospace industry.

This year, the conference was held under the theme — Honoring the past, guiding the present, and planting seeds for the future. More than 4,500 participants attended the conference sessions and workshops, which took place over a period of three days.

There were keynote speakers from all walks of life, including astronauts, adventurers, engineers, authors and pilots. In addition to the conference sessions and workshops, the Etihad trainees were able to network with female aviation specialists from around the world.

The Etihad Airways representatives visited the Kennedy Space Center and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where they met the deans of the engineering and aviation faculties.

Shereen Al-Mazroui, one of the trainees attending the conference, said: “Meeting new people, trying out new things and getting to know different cultures are all instrumental in shaping a person’s personality and defining their goal in life. That is what this trip was all about.

Etihad Airways’ Chief People and Performance Officer Ray Gammell, said: “Developing the capabilities, expertise and knowledge of young UAE nationals wishing to build a career in the aviation industry, has always been at the top of our priorities. We are proud of the individual and collective achievements of these talented young Emirati women and are confident they will be further motivated and inspired to continue their path to a long and rewarding career as aircraft engineers.”