‘Arab Space Pioneers’ Programme Launched

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of the ‘Arab Space Pioneers’ program that aims to build Arab expertise in space science and technologies.

Overseen by the UAE Space Agency, the program will equip young Arab researchers, scientists, inventors, and creative talents with the skills and expertise required to lead a career in the growing space sector. 

The three-year intensive training program incubates young talents and expands their career prospects in the region’s emerging space technologies.

On his Twitter account, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “In the coming days, the UAE will launch the Hope Probe to Mars, the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. And today, we are launching a program to invite Arab youth to gain expertise in space technologies in the UAE.” He added, “We strive to prepare the next generation of Arab astronomers and space scientists as part of our wider mission to revive the Arab civilization’s status in the scientific sphere.”

Candidates with a passion for space science and a scientific background can apply on the website ArabsToSpace.com. Applications will be evaluated based on qualifications and achievements in research and science fields.

The ‘Arab Space Pioneers’ program was launched in the run-up to the UAE’s historic launch of the Hope Probe to Mars, scheduled on July 15, 2020, in the first-ever Arab mission to the Red Planet. The Emirates Mars Mission aims to spark an Arab exploration of outer space, build a space industry in the region, and advance regional and national capabilities in this sector.

The program seeks to help the region’s talents in the creative and scientific industry to practice their passion in space science through specialized training in the UAE, which has long invested in the space sector, making it the Arab world’s most advanced.

It aims to invest in young Arab capacities who, in turn, can actively contribute to the global science community and drive scientific, economic, and social development in their societies. The program highlights the importance of investing in the multi-faceted space technology as a major driver of the future knowledge-based economy in the region.

Programme benefits

Participants in the ‘Arab Space Pioneers’ program will receive a number of benefits including a fully-covered three-year residency in the UAE, world-class specialized training in space science and technology, an opportunity to build advanced satellites in the UAE and access to scholarships and other financial incentives. Joining the program also increases job opportunities and provides an opportunity to join teams of Emirati researchers, engineers, and experts in a number of space projects.

The intensive program combines theoretical and hands-on practical training by enabling participants to contribute to the UAE Space Agency’s present and future projects. In the long run, the program aims to contribute to enriching the region’s growing space sector with a pool of young Arab experts and specialists equipped with the needed skills to lead in the new field.

Inspiring Young Minds

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency said, “the ‘Arab Space Pioneers’ program responds to the rising ambitions and passion of the young Arab generation in advanced sciences and space, and tackles the need to invest in the future economy.”

He added, “Announcing the program in line with the countdown to the historic launch of the UAE’s Mars Hope Probe sends an inspirational message to young Arab minds and talents across the region that the sky is not the limit to their dreams. The program enables them to make their dreams a profound reality, presenting the UAE as a live example that embedded the culture of possibilities in its approach and work philosophy.”

Belhoul noted, “Building expertise in space science and technology enables youth to actively contribute to global efforts towards creating a sustainable future for mankind.”

He stressed that the country’s visionary leaders have noticed early on the importance of investing in the space industry and related advanced technologies to support development. “Our leadership is keen to place the expertise gained over the past years in an advanced training program that combines theory with hands-on practice to prepare the next generation of Arab space specialists who are valuable to their societies.”

Belhoul referred to the Hope Probe as a “giant leap in the development of science in the Arab world, through which we revive the proud history of the Arab Islamic region as the cradle of civilization in its golden age.”