Abdullah bin Zayed to deliver keynote speech at MBRSC Science Event

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, has announced the first edition of the MBRSC Science Event agenda. Held under the patronage of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event will take place on 21st October, at the Etihad Museum under the theme 'Through Space we Flourish'.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council will deliver a keynote address at the main session of the event. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul AlFalasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency will also participate in the event's main session proceedings.

The event aims to develop national capabilities in space science, technology and research, in addition to raising awareness among all members of society, including university and school students, teachers, professors, researchers and individuals who are interested in science and space, through interactive workshops and activities.

Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of MBRSC praised the pivotal role of UAE diplomacy in supporting the space sector, evident in the successful strategic partnerships with research centres and international institutions to transfer knowledge in space science and technology. "These partnerships provided us with the knowledge to localise the space sector and the ability to compete with countries that have vast experience in space," he added.

Al Shaibani explained that "progress in the space sector is highly dependent on international cooperation, and the UAE has the vision to be open to the space community around the world, which leads to the sustainability of the sector globally and the enrichment of human knowledge."

He stressed that the UAE Space Agency and MBRSC share the same strategic objectives to promote knowledge development in space science, research and technology. Shaibani noted that the educational sector, notably in higher education, is being developed to produce qualified national cadres who are ready to lead and execute the ‘UAE National Space Programme’.

"The MBRSC Science Event is in line with the vision of the UAE leadership for the nation’s progress. The country currently has great knowledge in the fields of science and space," he concluded.

31 speakers from MBRSC, the academic sector and the scientific community will present research and scientific papers on various aspects of space science and technology, in addition to sharing their scientific and engineering expertise in various UAE space missions and programs, including Hope mission, KhalifaSat, Mars 2117 and the NanoSatellite Outreach Program – NSOP.

Three engineers from the Emirates Mars Mission – Hope team will be participating in a panel session titled 'Hope Probe Development: Team Perspective'. In this session, Suhail Al Dhafri, EMM Deputy Project Manager, Spacecraft Development, Khulood Al Harmoodi, EMM Deputy Project Manager, Product Assurance and Logistics and Mohammad Wali, EMM Launch Segment Lead will speak about their personal experience in the Hope mission and discuss what it takes to build a space mission.

The MBRSC Science Event will also feature three sub-events, including the 3rd Annual EMM Science Workshop, workshops for the 'Teachers Ambassadors Programme', and the second edition of the Explore Mars Competition. In this edition of the Explore Mars Competition, university students are invited to propose an innovative Mars mission design, which identifies or solves a scientific or engineering challenge in planetary exploration. The names of the winners will be announced at the end of the event.

The event also includes platforms that highlight MBRSC’s initiatives and training programmes, including the "Entaliq" Scholarship Programme, where UAE nationals can communicate directly with the talent acquisition team.

It will feature a dedicated zone for kids where the Centre will organise educational activities aimed at motivating and educating them on the importance of science in general and space in particular