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Airbus Officially Launches “Entaliq with Airbus” | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A flight test engineer holds an Airbus Group flag after the first flight of the Airbus A320neo (New Engine Option) in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo


Riyadh – Airbus Middle East announced on Wednesday the official launch of “Entaliq with Airbus”, a collaboration agreement between Airbus Middle East and TAQNIA Aeronautics, a Saudi Technology Development and Investment Company, in June 2016.

“Entaliq with Airbus” is a competitive program that aims to attract the best innovators in Saudi Arabia, whether interested university students or young Saudi entrepreneurs with new business ideas or existing businesses in the aviation, space and technology sectors.

The initiative will start officially across Saudi Arabia this month in cooperation with TAQNIA Aeronautics, owned by the Public Investment Funds, and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia).

The challenge targets all Saudi youth to find the best innovative ideas that can support and advance the national and global aerospace industry and participate in this program.

Over a period of three months, interested Saudis can apply and register online to “Entaliq with Airbus” to create and submit their best ideas.

The initial phase will require users to register for an online training program to help applicants understand the means to present innovative ideas in aviation. The program also includes coaching by aviation and aerospace experts, in addition to workshops all over the Kingdom.

For this, Retired Major General Ali al-Ghamdi, CEO of TAQNIA Aeronautics, said: “Airbus works closely with local governments and communities across the globe to support the growth of new ideas and innovation. As an organization that prides itself on the promotion of technology and knowledge transfer in KSA this partnership is a natural fit for such a beneficial program. We are very excited to see this come to life.”

Vice President Fleet Management and Agreements at Saudia, Abdulrahman bin Ghazi al-Tayeb, said: “We are honored to contribute to the development of Saudi’s aviation sector and partner with ‘Entaliq with Airbus’.”

Tayeb added: “Saudi Arabian Airlines launched a special talent management program in collaboration with SAP to improve the services provided to staff and develop the work of HR departments and achieve the strategic goals of the organization.”

For his part, the Managing Director of Airbus Middle East, Fouad Attar stated that: “Entaliq with Airbus” is the ultimate platform that brings multi stakeholders together to connect and exchange ideas for the development of the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia.”

“The program doesn’t aim to find a single idea and develop it, but to encourage the Saudi talent to think and create innovatively,” said Attar.

The second stage includes a challenge to advance the national aviation sector by presenting innovative changes to existing processes, products and functions that will eventually award successful applicants with a brighter future.

Shortlisted applicants will then be included in an online specialized training program as well as practical training in aviation, innovation, and business planning. Industry experts will also offer the participants guidance and mentoring.

The third phase of “Entaliq with Airbus” is the showcasing phase and presentation of the best ten innovations. The ideas will be presented to a panel of industry experts consisting of members of Airbus, TAQNIA Aeronautics, Saudia and other aviation experts.

“Entaliq with Airbus” platform, in addition to all partners in the industry, will manage the application process and training at different venues across Saudi Arabia.

It will also identify areas of support for the final ten candidates and help them register for intellectual property, company formation or innovation development to ensure that “Entaliq with Airbus” program is not just another traditional program, but rather a program that helps the youth and makes sure they are fully prepared for international competition.