The Emirates Space Innovation Group (ESIG) held a key meeting at American University of Sharjah to discuss its innovative space projects and activities besides outlining its plans and funding for future initiatives and missions.

This was its third meeting with member organizations since being formed by the UAE Space Agency last May.

The session was opened by Dr Bjorn Kjerfve, chancellor of the university, before being led by the ESIG chairman Khaled Al Hashimi, the director of Space Missions, Science and Technology at the UAE Space Agency.

In particular, the meeting and workshop discussion saw the Space Agency brief participating organizations on proposal processes for collaborative projects in 2018.

As the federal body, the agency is responsible for supporting and overseeing projects throughout the national space sector and industry, including university projects that will advance local expertise and bring further innovation to the field on a local, regional and international level.

The meeting went on to include updates regarding current projects from each of the member organizations, such as CubeSat and NanoSat builds, innovative research and development, and analyses of data gathered from satellites.

Discussions also focused on collaborative efforts to further leverage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields throughout the UAE, which is in the interests of the sector as a whole.

Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, the director general of the UAE Space Agency, said: "ESIG represents two major cornerstones of the UAE Space Agency’s strategic objectives. Firstly, we are encouraging and facilitating an environment of innovation across the national space sector’s principal stakeholders."

"Secondly, we are providing a collaborative platform by bringing major local and regional players together to discuss joint projects and collective efforts," he noted.

Al Hashimi said these ESIG meetings highlight the capacity building initiatives taking place in the UAE, and help members identify possible areas of collaboration.

"By working closely with universities and their space-related departments, we are rapidly advancing the means available to Emirati youth seeking to study space sciences and enter the sector. This is an essential element for further progressing in this advanced field," he noted.

Dr Kjerfve highlighted the importance of providing a framework for universities to collaborate and contribute to national space efforts.

“It’s important to bring together expertise, and for such expertise to come from so many universities is exceptional. This will have a great impact on the sector, and I’m hoping that the outcome of this meeting today will further advance the space program in the UAE,” he stated.

Industry bodies participating in the ESIG meeting included YahSat, Thuraya, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Tawazun and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.-TradeArabia News Service