Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori is carrying the hopes of the nation on his shoulders, said Dr Ahmad Bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency.

The historic mission of Al Mansoori, who is the first Emirati astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), affirms that Emiratis ambitions have no limit, Al Falasi told WAM in an exclusive interview.  “The mission also underscores the confidence of our wise leadership on the nation’s youth and their abilities,” he noted.

“The UAE’s leadership is keen to support Emirati youth in continuing the country’s achievements on both land and space, as they are capable of promoting the honourable image of Emiratis to the entire world,” Dr Al Falasi emphasised.

“Since the establishment of the UAE, our leadership considered the youth as the cornerstone of development and the country’s driving force to overall global leadership. The UAE, therefore, drafted comprehensive plans to train them and provide them with the necessary skills,” the minister explained.

Al Falasi further said that the vision of the UAE’s leadership on youth empowerment would be achieved when the first Emirati astronaut reach the International Space Station. “This is not the end but the start of a new era.”

Regarding the national space sector, he pointed out that it is the largest in the region in terms of investment, exceeding Dhs22 billion.

When asked about his message to Al Mansoori before his flight to the International Space Station, Al Falasi said, “Hazzaa Al Mansoori carries the hopes of the country’s leadership and he will carry the UAE’s flag to the International Space Station for the world to see.”

Journey into space

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Expo Science International 2019 will commence on Tuesday until Sept.26, with the participation of more than 1,800 young people from 57 countries.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, ACTVET, the forum will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The forum is a leading international scientific platform for youth from around the world, as it gives them the opportunity to exchange ideas and compare scientific projects fostering networking and international collaboration, said Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director-General of the ACTVET.

He noted that during the second day, the forum will have a presentation on the journey of Hazzaa Al Mansoori to the International Space Station and explore their ambition and determination.

“A group of scientists, academics and youth from 57 countries, aged between 9 and 25 will gather at the largest non-competitive exhibition that aims to encourage cooperation and scientific research,” he said.

Al Shamsi said that the forum would involve discussions on scientific projects drafted by the world’s innovators on 13 areas, including biology, behavioural and social sciences, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, energy, transportation, engineering, electro-mechanical environmental management, sports science, medicine, health, physics, astronomy and biotechnology.

He then pointed out that a youth conference on Artificial Intelligence would be held on the sidelines of the event, to provide the youth with opportunities to exchange views on new technological developments.

The Expo Science International is organised by ACTVET in cooperation with MILEST, an international non-profit organisation committed to advancing education in sciences, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and scientific knowledge for the youth, through organising scientific exhibitions and conferences.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre has confirmed the installation of the Soyuz FG on the Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch Pad No.1, in Kazakhstan, in preparation for the Sept.25 mission.

The Soyuz FG will carry the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft, in which Hazzaa AlMansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, will be launched to the International Space Station.

WAM