As a prelude to UAE Innovation Week, the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has announced the launch of a capacity building program. The programme has been developed in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and is a part of the Global Space Congress’ Next Gen Space initiative.
The programme is geared towards promoting and spreading space education among young people in the UAE. It features workshops discussing targets, objectives, and learning methods for space education, as well as sessions on the CanSat program and hybrid rockets. Visiting lecturers include Dr. Hiroaki Akyiama from Wakayama University, Mr. Toshinori Aoshima from Vision Co. Ltd., and Ms. Pauline Faure from the Kyushu Institute of Technology.
The culmination of the programme is the Ideathon where teams of four students from various UAE universities will brainstorm ideas on how to utilise space technology in order to solve social issues and benefit society in the UAE. Suggested ideas may include the use of CanSats — miniature satellites that are roughly the size of a soda can. The winning team will be chosen by Japanese experts and will be sent to Japan for a week’s training in parabolic flight experimentation.
The UAE Space Agency will host the Global Space Congress at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, from January 31 to February 1, 2017. The Congress will highlight an international educational programme that focuses on space sciences and technology as a part of the Agency’s aim to enhance its efforts in developing specialised skillsets and personnel to become future leaders of the national space sector.
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