Khalifa University said in a statement that six students completed the first cohort of its dual-degree program with the Moscow Aviation Institute, graduating in a ceremony in Moscow during July 2026. The students spent their first three years at the Abu Dhabi institution before transferring for the final year to fulfill requirements for bachelor’s degrees from both universities in aerospace engineering. This marks the first joint academic program between the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation in aeronautical and space engineering, according to the UAE Embassy in Moscow.
The university’s announcement detailed how the graduates defended their senior design projects while gaining exposure to aircraft design, propulsion, flight dynamics, space systems and advanced manufacturing at the Moscow Aviation Institute, which first enrolled students in the spring of 1930 according to the institute’s published history. The experience abroad helped participants develop adaptability and a global perspective essential for multidisciplinary engineering environments. One member of the cohort will commence PhD studies at Khalifa University in fall 2026, with the remaining five completing internships prior to entering the workforce.
H.E. Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, president of Khalifa University, said in the statement, “The success of our first dual-degree cohort with Moscow Aviation Institute reflects Khalifa University’s commitment to providing transformative educational opportunities that prepare students for leadership in globally competitive industries.” He added that combining academic excellence with international experience equips graduates with the knowledge and perspective to address complex engineering challenges. Al Hajri noted that the program supports the development of talent for the UAE’s aviation, aerospace and space sectors as part of national priorities.
A second group of nine aerospace engineering students from Khalifa University is set to travel to Moscow in the first week of September 2026 to begin the final year of the same dual-degree pathway, the statement indicated. The initiative builds on prior collaborations, including specialized summer programs that have expanded academic exchanges between the two institutions in recent years. Such partnerships contribute to broader bilateral ties in education and scientific research.
Saeed Hamad Al-Ghafli, head of the economic affairs department at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Russian Federation, attended the July 2026 graduation ceremony. He emphasized the program’s reflection of the UAE’s focus on academic cooperation with Russia to train personnel for future industries and strengthen strategic relations between the countries. The first cohort’s completion sets a foundation for continued growth in the joint initiative.
