DUBAI // The first edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s Project Space Forum will start on Tuesday next week.
The two-day conference, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, will provide a platform for those interested in science, exploration and innovation in the UAE, by joining space scientists and experts.
“The space sector is of strategic importance in terms of shaping the future of science and technology in the UAE and building a knowledge-based, competitive and innovation-focused strong economy,” said Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of the centre.
Mona Al Qemzi, assistant director general of the centre’s corporate support sector, said the Project Space Forum will allow UAE students to deepen their knowledge of science and space.
“We are absolutely sure that when our youth learn about the experiences of and communicate with leading scientists, they will be inspired and encouraged to embark upon a career path in science, space or engineering, which will help meet the increasing needs of human resources in the space sector,” she said.
Dr Noureddine Melikechi, the only Arab scientist participating in Nasa’s Curiosity rover mission on Mars, will give a lecture on how laser technology developed for the mission can be used to detect cancer.
Dr Mike Brown, an astronomy professor at the California Institute of Technology, will give a lecture on his involvement in Pluto being classified as a dwarf planet.
A documentary film on the UAE's Hope probe to Mars and a panel discussion on women in space will also take place during the forum.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
