NASA Space Apps Hackathon to take place in UAE in October

NASA Space Apps Hackathon will be held on October 1st and 2nd in the United Arab Emirates, organized by Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship (GIE) in collaboration with key partners, the University of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates University. The Hackathon will take place in the following emirates: Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman.

The fact that the UAE is hosting the Challenge for the third year in a row reflects the state’s efforts to consolidate the pillars of space science and is based on achievements to support the endeavor of giving in the field of Earth and space science, such as the Hope Probe project and the agreement to send the first Arab astronaut for a long 180-day mission to the International Space Station.

This September, a number of activities are planned to support participating teams from various emirates, including a training camp that will include a number of workshops and training sessions related to the hackathon challenges.

His Excellency Professor Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, emphasized the importance of hosting the NASA Space Apps Hackathon in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the accompanying activities and events related to the challenges presented in this field, which contribute to the refinement of students’ and youth’s skills, and fall within the framework of the country’s numerous successes in the fields of Earth and space sciences.

He stated that the University welcomes and sponsors these events, and that it makes every effort to assist creators and innovators from across the country in developing scientific and practical skills and expertise in order to develop new solutions and technologies that contribute to the progress and well-being of nations and peoples, in accordance with the University’s fundamental goal of founding and playing a role in the fields of scientific research and community service.

He noted that the UAE’s achievements in these areas are part of the State’s innovation strategy, which was launched in 2014 by the late H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and aims to achieve innovation in seven sectors, with the space sector being one of the most important of these sectors.

Based on the vision of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates To achieve the goals of this strategy, the wise political leadership has prioritized innovative ideas to improve the quality of life in the UAE and throughout the world, which are based on key elements of innovation, the most important of which are Human Capital and Research, Knowledge and Technology, Funding and Investment, Infrastructure, Competitive Environment, Institutions and Regulatory Environment, and Innovative Products and Services.

Eng. Mohamed Aboud, CEO of GIE, declared: “We seek to effectively contribute to building an integrated society in space sciences by organizing the hackathon for the third year in a row, in line with the UAE’s direction to support the strategic directions of space science and technology policy, qualify Emirati cadres and develop national companies that contribute to the growth of the sector, explaining that Emirati cadres have been able during Last year’s hackathon is to qualify and reach the stage of international arbitration in a step that reflects the correctness of the vision and that we are on the right path”.

It is worth noting that the hackathon, now in its eleventh year, is supported and sponsored by more than 15 international space agencies as the largest technological community specialized in Earth and space sciences.

Back to the 2021 Hackathon finals, an Emirati team qualified with a project idea in the field of food security based on data analysis using AI techniques, after reaching the international arbitration stage among the top 24 teams in the world after qualifying among 400 teams out of a total of 4800 teams from all over the world.