Interview: UAE Mulls Life after Oil—and on Mars

As the United Arab Emirates prepares for life after oil, could a mission to Mars help transform its economy? Sarah Amiri is the deputy project manager and science lead at the Emirates Mars Mission.

She is also the Chairwoman of the Emirates Scientists’ Council and is a World Economic Forum Young Scientist who will be speaking at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China, from June 26 to 28.

She recently discussed climate change on Mars, her country's shift to a knowledge-based economy, and why the space program is inspiring young people across the Middle East.

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UAE to include EIAST projects in curriculum

The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has signed an agreement with the UAE Ministry of Education as per which its key findings will become part of the secondary school curriculum of Geography and Social Studies.

As per the agreement, EIAST will provide the ministry with detailed information on its vision, mission, researches and main programmes, in addition to the images received by DubaiSat-1 to be included in the geography text book of the tenth grade next year, said a statement from UAE Ministry of Education (MoE).

This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the student curriculum with contemporary subject materials to enhance the knowledge base of students, and complements EIAST’s efforts in sharing its concrete contributions for the benefit of the UAE student community.

A delegation from the Ministry of Education headed by Shaikha Kholood Saqr Al Qassimi, director of Curriculum Department, MoE, recently visited EIAST to identify its workflow, future development plans and programmes, as well as to discuss aspects of cooperation between them.

Adnan Mohammed Al Rais, team leader of Ground Systems and Image Processing, gave a detailed presentation on the launch process of DubaiSat-1, how the Ground Control Station is connected to the satellite for receiving images and updates on DubaiSat-2.

The delegation also visited the Ground Control Station connected to DubaiSat-1, the Image Processing and Data Analysis lab, and the Assembly Integration and Test room.

Shaikha Kholood lauded the efforts of UAE nationals in achieving the historic accomplishment.

“We are pleased to co-operate with the EIAST and share their knowledge base with the student community of the UAE. By incorporating EIAST’s achievements as part of the student curriculum, we aim to further positioning the UAE on the international map of innovation and excellence by promoting stronger interest in the young minds about the country’s scientific accomplishments.”

Ahmed Al Mansoori, director general, EIAST, said the joint initiative was important given the vital role that the ministry plays in strengthening and developing the skills of future generations.

'We are pleased to co-operate with the ministry and we hope that EIAST’s activities, especially the achievements of DubaiSat-1, will be a catalyst for UAE high school students to pursue the path of advanced technology for the overall welfare of the nation,' he added.

The delegation from the Curriculum Department, MoE, included Mariam Kamal, head of Humanities curricula; Fatima Ahmed Al Muhairi, art director, and Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdel Karim, a specialist in geography - Social Studies Division.

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Dubai's Emirates to hire 2,000 staff in 2010

Dubai government-owned airline Emirates said on Tuesday it planned to recruit 2,000 cabin crew in 2010 as it expands its fleet and routes.

The Arab world's largest airline has hired around 660 cabin crew and more than 60 pilots since March 2009, a statement said. The airline's total cabin crew stands at 11,000. "More aircraft and flights mean more staff," the carrier said. "It is expected that a further 2,000 cabin crew will be hired this year."

The company has grown its fleet of planes from 131 to 145, since March 2009, including eight Airbus A380s superjumbos.

Middle Eastern airlines saw the highest growth rate of 11.2 percent in air passenger traffic globally for 2009 as carriers snapped up long-haul connecting traffic, international air traffic body IATA said on Jan. 27.

Emirates, the largest customer for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, said in February funding its aircraft purchases was not an issue and that it would post solid results for 2009.

The airline, which has $55 billion worth of orders with Airbus and Boeing, expects to take delivery of 11 aircraft in 2010 as it presses ahead with expansion into Europe.

One of Dubai's prize assets, Emirates in December raised $1.13 billion from Citibank, backed by a guarantee from the European Export Credit Agencies, and a second loan from Doric Asset to finance six aircraft.

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