Memorandum aims to develop Emirati human capacities qualified to work in the field of space science and technology

March 3, 2016 - Dubai, UAE: Within the context of strengthening cooperation with educational institutions in the UAE and developing an organizational framework to develop such cooperation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with American University of Sharjah to develop Emirati human resources qualified to work in the fields of space science and technology, and consequently developing the space technology sector in the UAE. HE Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General, MBRSC, and Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor, American University of Sharjah, signed the MoU in the presence of a number of executive officials from the Centre and the university.

The two parties agreed to cooperate in designing and developing educational, training and qualification programs in the scientific specialties related to the space sciences technologies and satellites for serving the public interest in the UAE. According to the agreement, the two parties will coordinate their activities in academic disciplines and work opportunities, with students being informed about the available opportunities in engineering and technological disciplines. Also, work opportunities will be made available in the Centre’s scientific, technological and space projects for graduate students and those who excel academically in scientific disciplines. In addition to this, the Centre will offer scholarship grants for distinguished engineering and technological college students through the Entaliq Scholarship Program.

HE Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of MBRSC, stressed the importance of signing the MoU with American University of Sharjah, which is a well-established university that plays a major academic role in developing UAE talent and competencies in various fields, including space. He pointed out that the university has always been committed and determined to building partnerships with specialized institutions to support its graduates’ capabilities, making it easier for them to find employment opportunities. In this context, “MBRSC cooperated previously with the university during the first CubeSat mission in the UAE, Nayif-1. Besides, a significant number of the Centre’s engineers graduated from the American University of Sharjah,' he added.

Al Shaibani stressed that “the educational sector plays a vital role in coping with the post-oil phase, and it’s important to interact with that change by meeting the needs of the next phase with graduating students who can find work opportunities that meet the needs of the new sectors, through developing educational programs and introducing new majors”.

“The UAE is in the midst of establishing an integrated space sector, and this will become a reality through ambitious projects, infrastructure and qualified human capital that have high scientific capabilities,” he concluded

“We are very pleased to be signing this Memorandum of Understanding with MBRSC,” said Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS. “These are the type of important initiatives AUS is keen in taking part in and providing them with our skills and expertise. Space science and satellite technologies are assuming an increasingly important role in the future plans of the country and the world. At AUS, we embrace this extremely important field and are pleased to join hands with distinguished partners such as MBRSC to further this endeavor”.