Shareef Al Romaithi, a 31 year-old Etihad Airways First Officer, has become the first Emirati to obtain a PhD in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which also makes him the youngest and the eighth holder of this distinctive degree in the world.

Shareef joined the UAE’s national carrier in 2007 as a cadet pilot, and upon completing the airline’s specialised pilot training program, became the first Etihad Airways cadet pilot to transition to First Officer status.

His educational journey began in 2005 when he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He went on to complete two Masters Degrees in Aviation and Aerospace Management and Safety Systems.  In 2010 Etihad Airways sponsored his PhD studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specialising in aviation and aerospace.