Seems to me it's another programme added to the stable at EAC as a revenue stream, (like the dispatcher & aviation management courses) NOT the 'cadet program' of old where you applied and were accepted into Emirates upon successful passing of the course (as I think still happens with Nationals)
Shame but I never really expected them to open the cadet scheme to non-nationals again, then again I suppose if they are getting really short of pilots in the future maybe they will consider it...
If so there are about half a dozen cabin crew currently flying who should be given places first as they had already passed and were accepted just before EK decided to stop accepting non-nationals onto the cadet courses.