Emirates Aviation University partnered yesterday with Airways New Zealand to launch a dedicated air traffic control training centre at the new university campus in Dubai Academic City.

Starting late May, Airways New Zealand's air navigation services provider, will deliver air traffic control training for up to 200 students per year at EAU over the next five years.

"There is a global shortage of air traffic controllers, which has serious repercussions for the aviation industry – particularly in this part of the world where air traffic is expected to continue growing. This new joint venture allows us to capitalise on Airways' 20 years of experience in training controllers around the world, and to provide a highly-specialised resource that our industry so desperately needs for future development," said Dr. Ahmad Al Ali.

"Emirates Aviation University already has a track record and reputation for providing world-class aviation training. This partnership with Airways complements our existing training programmes and further cements our position as the leading centre for aviation-related training and education,"

Airways NZ has worked in the Middle East region more than 15 years delivering ATC ab-initio training, short courses and recruitment solutions. The training provided at EAU will be aligned with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, which means graduates are well prepared to achieve ratings at most airports and radar centres around the world.

Sharon Cooke, Airways' Head of Training, has said the organisation will provide a full suite of ATC ab-initio, air traffic services operations and air traffic management training programmes at the university. Airways has installed a state-of-the-art total control simulator at the facility, providing students with a highly realistic tower and radar training environment.

"We're delighted to be working with an organisation as prestigious as EAU. Our track record in the provision of world-class ATC training and technologies, combined with EAU's wider aviation portfolio and educational leadership in the region, sees this partnership well placed for success," said Cooke.

Airways' partnership with EAU is responding to the growth of the region's fast moving aviation sector. In 2013 the aviation sector made an estimated US$16.5 billion value-added contribution to Dubai's economy, equivalent to 16.5% of Dubai's economy-wide GDP. Beyond 2020, the sector's contribution is estimated at US$48.6 billion, or 24.7% of Dubai's GDP.

Emirates Aviation University is part of Emirates Group and Airways is the state-owned air traffic control organisation from New Zealand.