UAE students explore space in classrooms
Educationists in the UAE are curating curricula to meet the increasing interest among youth to explore space. More students are now considering careers around space sciences, thanks to the outreach efforts of the Hope Mission team, who have been visiting schools and universities and producing exciting multimedia on the subject.
The UAE space mission to the International Space Station and the Mars Hope probe launch have impacted the Arab world and more people are opening doors to make intellectual investments in the region.
Educators are building high-quality content to help students harness these interests. “We are developing content in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid
Space Centre (MBRSC) as well as other industry partners. It is integrated then into our school curriculum, extra-curricular activities, guest speakers, competitions and events in the school calendar,” said Zeeshan Nabi, director of IT and chief innovation and digital officer at Gems International School — Al Khail.
“Students also have access to drone technology, flight simulators and pathways to specific aviation and aeronautical courses,” he added.
Dr Vajahat Hussain, CEO of Amity Education – Middle East, said that watching the UAE’s first astronaut in space has inspired students to dream big. “We received an astronaut badge from the UAE Space Agency last year. We also had a space professional interact with students and answered all their questions related to the field and profession.”
Universities and scholarships
UAE varsities are collaborating with community partners to offer enhanced pathways for students.
Ilias Fernini, vice-director-general for research and scientific projects at the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space sciences and Technology (SAASST), said: “The University of Sharjah is starting two masters programmes related to space. The Masters in Astronomy and Space Sciences will use SAASST’s research laboratories — Radio Astronomy Laboratory, Space Weather and Ionospheric Laboratory, CubeSat Laboratory, Meteorite Centre and Sharjah Optical Observatory. The second MSc is related to Aerospace Engineering, which will allow students to pursue their careers in space engineering and satellite designs.”
Scholarships are being provided to Emiratis wanting to pursue studies in space, he added. “The UAE nationals are fully supported through scholarships given by the University of Sharjah, UAE Space Agency and the MBRSC,” he said.
According to Dr Nidhal Guessoum, professor of Physics at the American University of Sharjah, an increasing number of students are registering for the Physics major, seeking astrophysics and space faculty for research.
With a Satellite Ground Station the Amity Education Middle East is inspiring young minds to seek space exploration as a career. “The Hope probe has lit a flame in every child in the Arab World,” said Dr Hussain.
The Hope probe has lit a flame in every child in the Arab World.”
Dr Vajahat Hussain
CEO of Amity Education – Middle East