Aircraft manufacturer, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have concluded “the fourth edition of their STEM School program, equipping grade 11 students with the skills and inspiration to pursue careers in aviation and engineering.”
Boeing stated that the STEM program “running from July 13 to August 21 at the Ethiopian Aviation University, the six-week program provided participants — half of whom were young women — with over 300 hours of immersive learning. The initiative, which draws students from all regions of Ethiopia, combines rigorous classroom instruction with internships, mentorship sessions with Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing professionals and field visits to aviation facilities.”
Boeing stated that “the curriculum blended digital skills, including coding, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), with essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Leveraging the operational expertise of Africa’s largest airline, students gained firsthand exposure to Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo, maintenance, repair and overhaul and Ethiopian Aviation University facilities for hands-on learning.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said: “Working on youth education is a direct investment in Ethiopia’s future. This initiative prepares tomorrow’s leaders and creative thinkers by equipping them with the essential skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We are honored to see these talented young people succeed, and we are confident that they will play a vital role in shaping industries. We also thank Boeing for partnering with Ethiopian Airlines on such important initiatives.”
Boeing Managing Director for Africa, Henok Teferra Shawl said: “At a time when Africa will need an estimated 75,000 new aviation professionals over the next 20 years, Ethiopia’s rapid expansion of fleet, network and infrastructure is setting the pace. Through our STEM School with Ethiopian Airlines, we are building a connected community of future leaders ready to write the next chapter of aviation growth in Ethiopia and across the continent.”
Boeing noted that the “alumni engagement is a program staple: participants from prior cohorts return each year to share knowledge and foster peer support.”
Boeing said that “the STEM School extended beyond the classroom with educational visits to the National Palace Museum, the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University and the Ethiopia Science Museum. At the Science Museum, students interacted with a permanent aerospace exhibit featuring a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight simulator, a replica of the Starliner spacecraft and detailed models of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the International Space Station’s Cupola module.”
According to Boeing, the STEM School has delivered annually since 2023, it has now “empowered more than 100 Ethiopian students, including 28 young people in 2026. The program is held in close coordination with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, ensuring a transparent selection process and alignment with the nation’s priorities in science and technology education.”