ABU DHABI-- UAE Space
Agency Chief Corporate Officer, Sheikha Al Maskari has said that the agency's
plans and objectives are to develop UAE nationals to help better serve
humanity, highlighting the importance of the space sector and the role that
innovation plays within it.
Al Maskari highlighted
this objective during a panel discussion on innovation within the government
sector, which was part of the summit held at the Burj Al Arab Hotel on
Thursday. The event included participation from a number of national speakers
and leaders from various sectors at state level.
Describing innovation as
the transformation of an idea from a theoretical project to a product or
service that is useful to society, Al Maskari explained that this is what the
space sector has presented over the past five decades, noting that through
innovation, humans have managed to harness space science for peaceful and good
uses, and for a the promotion of knowledge, service and the advancement of
national economies.
She added that the space
sector is one of the seven most important sectors within the UAE’s national
innovation strategy, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the
end of last year. The strategy will be implemented through a programme spanning
seven years and will aim to position the UAE as a leading country within
innovation.
By launching the UAE
Space Agency, the UAE has highlighted to the international community that the
space sector and innovation represent two key pillars for national economic
growth and sustainable development.
Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi,
Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said that the agency has put together
an ambitious plan for encouraging innovation within the country through a range
of programmes and initiatives that will embed the role of the space sector in
the country. He added that participating in such events emphasises the
commitment of the agency to innovation and also that the space sector will play
an important role in improving quality of life.
Dr. Al Ahbabi said that
one of the aims of the UAE Space Agency which was outlined in the strategic
launch focuses on encouraging and supporting scientific research in space. The
agency also aims to organise and develop the national space sector to
international standards so that it will have benefits for the nation by
diversifying the economy and helping with sustainable development. In order to
achieve this, he said, the UAE Space Agency will help develop pioneers within
the country who will go on to lead space science, technology and exploration.
Panel participants
included Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Licensing Agency at the Roads and
Transport Authority, RTA, in Dubai, Hind Al Mualla, Head of Community Relations
in the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and Essam Disi, Director of
Strategy and Policy at the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and
Medium Enterprises Development.
Sheikha Al Maskari added
that there needs to be a large number of Emiratis entering the space sector,
and that the UAE Space Agency has therefore developed a range of plans that
will help raise awareness in Emirati and Arab youth so that they can become
pioneers of the industry in the future.
The UAE Space Agency has
launched learning and training programmes aimed at youths and has developed a
partnership with Airbus Group for the "Little Engineers" workshops.
This has been responsible for encouraging students to learn about space and
technology, and has also helped improve teamwork, communication skills,
analytical thought, creativity and public speaking.
The agency has also
entered into cooperation discussions with universities across the UAE,
including Khalifa University, UAE University, Sharjah University, Higher
Colleges of Technology, New York University Abu Dhabi and others, the aim of
which is to improve science curricula as well as maths, technology and
engineering, that will help Emiratis develop and serve humanity in the future.
The UAE Space Agency
Chief Corporate Officer went on to say that the fourth objective will be
focused on developing and signing international partnerships within the space
sector, in a manner that serves the industry and that provides administrative
services with high quality standards and transparency.
She also explained that
the space sector has involved innovation and inventions for the past 50 years,
and plans to work with national organisations to improve knowledge transfer
within the UAE.
In conclusion, Al
Maskari said that innovation is not just about creating new things but also
about improving existing ideas and products for better service and use. -end-
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