The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated a dedicated space academy aimed at cultivating talent for the nation’s expanding space sector. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, highlighted the academy’s significance in nurturing the country’s aspirations in the high-tech industry. The academy, part of a Dh3 billion ($820 million) space fund announced last year, is situated at the space agency’s new offices near Dubai World Trade Centre.
The space academy aims to provide Emirati students with an educational, research, and practical environment, enabling them to explore and create new technology. Students will receive training in spacecraft design, mission planning, and other aspects of the space sector. The initiative is part of broader efforts to engage youth in the high-tech industry and create opportunities in the private sector.
The academy has already conducted workshops for dozens of students, with formal training sessions scheduled to begin in early 2024. The program is designed to foster the development of a skilled workforce for the UAE’s space projects, including missions to the main asteroid belt, climate-monitoring satellite constellations, and support for emerging space companies.
The UAE has been actively investing in its space sector, setting up an economic zone dedicated to space activities and attracting both startups and established companies. The academy is envisioned as a catalyst for creating entrepreneurs who, in turn, will contribute to the growth of the space sector, creating jobs and fostering innovation. The UAE Space Agency sees the academy as a vital component of its strategy to ensure a continuous influx of talent, preventing the aging of the space industry workforce.
