35 Pathways for success Ensuring long-term economic vitality and helping young Saudis start successful professional careers is a major area of focus for Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia has a national policy focused on expanding private sector opportunities for its citizens and encouraging young Saudis to pursue careers in fields that will drive economic growth there,” said Coleen Burke-Finney, Boeing’s director of International Policy Integration. Boeing is an active participant in Saudi programs to diversify the nation’s economy and develop a skilled workforce, with a focus on careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), she said. “Boeing is working with the Saudis to encourage students to enter STEM-related fields, as well as open career opportunities.” In support of those goals, Boeing is a co-founding member of Alfaisal University, one of the first private, nonprofit research and teaching universities in Saudi Arabia. The university has colleges offering curricula in business, engineering, life sciences and medicine. Boeing, through its Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Engineering Fellowship Program, partnered with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to offer select Saudi nationals educated in the United States a temporary assignment to work at Boeing in the United States, with the potential for later working for Boeing within Saudi Arabia. In addition, Boeing makes charitable contributions to provide health and human services within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These range from free dialysis sessions to services for children with mental and learning disabilities. Earlier this year, Boeing renewed its support for KELLANA—The Prince Fahad bin Salman Charity for Renal Disease—by providing an additional 23 dialysis machines to aid the growing number of patients who have renal failure. Boeing has been supporting the charity since 2012, when it provided 30 dialysis machines to hospitals across the country. Boeing also supports the King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Society for Women, which addresses a shortage of qualified Saudi women to work in important areas, such as teaching in small to medium-size schools. Hope for Exceptional Needs, supported by Boeing, provides early intervention for disabled children and their parents. It focuses on improving the lives of children with mental and developmental disabilities by training parents and caregivers in cognitive development skills. It’s designed to get these children off to a more solid footing early in life. n Frontiers October 2014 employing more Saudi nationals. Boeing’s Current Market Outlook forecasts that Middle Eastern airlines will need approximately 2,950 new airplanes valued at $640 billion over the next 20 years. Saudi Arabian Airlines is a strong customer for Boeing widebody jetliners, with a fleet that includes 777s and 747s. In 2010, Saudia placed orders for eight 787-9 Dreamliners and 12 777-300ERs (Extended Range). When the first two 777-300ERs were delivered in January 2012, Saudia PHOTO: A Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) in Saudi Arabian Airlines livery. SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES
Frontiers October 2014 Issue
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