Emiratis opt for the UAE Astronaut programme
dubai — Hundreds of Emiratis approached the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to get a chance to be among the UAE’s first astronauts.
With the programme’s deadline slotted by end of this month, young Emiratis rushed to the centre’s stand during the Careers UAE exhibition to register their application online. The strict criteria of the programme did not discourage the youth of dreaming big. Among the applicants was 20-year-old Rehab Jassem, an electrical engineering senior at Higher College of Technology, said discovering space is the future of UAE.
“The country is looking to be advanced in science and technology, and I hope to become part of that,” said Jassem, who’s hoping to become the UAE’s first female astronaut to fly to space.
“My field in engineering is close to what the space centre requires, so I’m positive I can add to it by my expertise,” said Jassem.
Applicants to the programme must be over 18 with a university degree and proficiency in Arabic and English.
Salem Al Marri, assistant director general for scientific, technical affairs at MBRSC and head of higher committee of the UAE Astronaut Programme, told Khaleej Times candidates must have hand skills, eye-hand coordination skills and be medically suitable for space flight.
Saif Al Zarooni, Zayed University graduate with mechanical engineering degree, said he is ready to go through the rigorous selection process. Abdel Rahman Attar, a 22-year-old science and IT student at the Higher College of Technology, said that the sky is no limit to the young nation. He added: “Even if I wasn’t chosen among the candidates, I feel honoured the country is offering us such opportunities.” So far, over 3,000 Emiratis applied for the position since the announcement in December. Candidates will go through advanced three-year training in 2019 on becoming astronauts and go for missions at the International Space Station.