My 2020 Podcast: Sarah Al Amiri on launching Mars probe amid pandemic

UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chair of Space Agency in conversation with 'The National' for a new series speaking to leaders on how their lives and industries were changed by Covid-19

“Amazing hurdles of learning”. That is how Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chair of the UAE Space Agency, will remember the year 2020.

Speaking to The National for the second episode of the 'My 2020' podcast series reflecting on the year of 2020, Ms Al Amiri explains how she and her team were able to launch a probe to Mars at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. "That is what space teaches you, just be the nature of the risk that is in the business". She also gives management advice for those who have to lead a team through uncertain times: "Change is not something that comes naturally to us ... but on the other hand, adaptability is something that comes naturally to us", saying we must learn to balance between the two.

Ms Al Amiri also speaks about her time working from home, and the impact of Covid-19 on her life, families and travels.

My 2020 is a seven-part series, hosted by Mina Al-Oraibi, The National's Editor-in-Chief, speaking to leaders on how their lives and industries have been changed by Covid-19.