The Board of Trustees of National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) held its third meeting at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center to review the results of scientific and technical research projects, academic programs and community awareness activities.

Attending the meeting were H.E. Dr. (Eng.) Mohammed Nasser Al-Ahbabi, Director General , UAE Space Agency; H.E. Professor Mohamed Albaili, UAEU Vice Chancellor; Eng. Omar Mohammed Al-Mahmoud, CEO, ICT Fund; Ismail Abdulla, CEO, Strata; Mona Al Muhairi, Chief Human Capital Officer, Yahsat; and Khaled Al Hashmi, Director, Space Missions, Science and Technology, UAE Space Agency.

"The contract of designing the building for manufacturing 200-kg satellites has been awarded, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019,” said H.E. Eng. Al Ahbabi. “The satellite research projects were also reviewed in coordination with the Emirates Space Agency and other concerned parties”.

He further added, “the center’s efforts during the coming year will be directed to promoting further research in line with the directives of UAE wise leadership to explore the space, develop national space capabilities and support current scientific research to achieve their goals”.

Professor Albaili, stressed that UAEU is always keen on supporting innovations and developing projects in the field of space through collaborating with leading institutions in the UAE and further afield, supporting research capabilities and preparing a generation who can achieve leadership in the field of space in the future.

The board reviewed the results of the graduation projects funded by the center and related to the Emirates Mars Mission 2020 as well as the activities, awareness campaigns and lectures on space science and technology. They also discussed collaboration with respective entities in future project, and reviewed recruitment plan of national cadre at the center.

NSSTC was established by the UAE Space Agency, UAEU and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority represented by the ICT Fund. The center, the first of its kind in the Middle East, acts as an incubator for space research and innovation, including satellite communications, remote sensing, and others related to the outer atmosphere and space technology to support the UAE’s strategic plans of space science and technology.

The center will play a crucial role in securing an international status for the UAE in the field of space, as it aims to encourage knowledge innovation among youth and provide them with a platform to develop their basic skills in this vital field.