Two universities in the UAE have introduced a master’s programme in space sciences to cater to an increasing number of students interested in pursuing a degree in the discipline.
The University of Sharjah and the UAE University in Al Ain have, this academic year, welcomed their first batch of students for the course.
Academics said the Middle East’s thriving space scene is inspiring youth to follow a career path in space science, engineering, astronomy and others.
“The increasing interest of students for the space sciences is fuelled by the important and inspiring space sciences programme of the UAE,” said Prof Nouar Tabet, dean of College of Sciences at University of Sharjah.
“This is good news because this national initiative is going to generate a huge amount of data that will need to be analysed.”
The university started its master’s programme in astronomy and space science this academic year, with six students registered so far and more expected to join.
It has 95 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses that offer a career in space, such as applied physics, petroleum geophysics and remote sensing.
A decade ago, only 10 students were enrolled in these programmes.
Since then, the university has seen slow but steady growth. In 2018, there were 32 students enrolled in applied physics. This year, there are more than 50.
The numbers are still low compared to international figures, but are gradually increasing year-on-year.
“We should not forget that the UAE space programme is very young,” said Ilias Fernini, vice director general for research and scientific projects at the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) – a facility overseen by the university.
“It just started in 2014 with the creation of the UAE Space Agency. Compared to other international space agencies that date back to the mid-20th century, the UAE has crossed a tremendous step.”
The UAE launched its first 100 per cent Emirati-built satellite KhalifaSat in 2018 and sent its first Emirati astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri to space in 2019.
Most recently, the country launched a Mars probe called Hope this summer.
Mr Ilias believes the number of students pursuing space-related degrees and universities offering them will rise significantly once the space sector further matures.
“The UAE must look into having satellite and space rockets launch capabilities, design and construct robotics for lunar and Martian missions, and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning for space applications,” he said.
“This is the future trend, and these programmes will attract hundreds of young minds to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The UAE can be a real space hub for the Mena world.”
SAASST admits 20 interns per semester from the university to work across its five laboratories, including a meteorite centre, cube satellites, high energy astrophysics, space weather and ionosphere and radio astronomy.
The UAE University in Al Ain is also offering master’s degrees in space sciences, with courses that range from spacecraft systems, space physics, astronomy and astrophysics, remote sensing of terrestrial and planetary surfaces and digital image processing in remote sensing.
Due to a growing interest by students, a space centre in Al Ain – overseen by the university – will expand many of its projects.
It will soon have a fully equipped satellite assembly, integration and testing facility that can be used by students for practical learning, as well as a radio array observatory in the near future, as reported by The National last week.
Students will be able to work on major projects, including the first pan-Arab satellite called 813, two upcoming navigation satellites and other initiatives.
It is not just space science degrees that build a career path in space; engineering degrees also help.
Sarah Al Amiri, the president of the UAE Space Agency and the Emirates Mars Mission science team leader, graduated from the American University of Sharjah with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in computer engineering.
She started her career at the department of research and development at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where she worked as a programme engineer on Dubai Sat-1 and Sat-2 – the UAE’s first two satellites. Before the UAE cabinet reshuffle this year, she was the Minister of State for Advanced Sciences.
Many universities in the Emirates offer undergraduate degrees in engineering but only a handful have ones in aerospace engineering.
Amity University Dubai launched its four-year aerospace engineering programme in 2015 with more than 15 students.
“After the programme launched, we had a growth of over 50 per cent every academic year,” said Dr Vajahat Hussain, chief executive of Amity Education Middle East.
“We have over 50 students currently studying aerospace engineering at Amity University Dubai, and seen two batches of aerospace engineering students graduate. We have also seen a 30 per cent increase in student numbers over the past two years.”
The university has a ground control station where students can track satellites, predict weather patterns and pollution levels by analysing the data.
An aerospace engineering graduate from the university, Sahith Reddy Madara, now works at SAASST as a research engineer, and several other alumni work internationally in space-related fields.
“As an emerging area of study, the field of space science and interest around the profession has increased over the past two years. The region’s investment in space research and development is the main motivating factor for students that have enrolled in our aerospace engineering programme,” said Dr Hussain.
Other universities that also offer space science, math or engineering degrees in the UAE are Khalifa University, New York University in Abu Dhabi and American University of Ras Al Khaimah.
© The National
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