WOMEN IN SPACE: new experience for cooperation
Every August 28, the UAE celebrates Emirati Women Day. Taking this opportunity, this article sheds light on how our friendly countries can explore space as a new cooperation area.
The point is that, UAE successfully involved women into Mars Mission: The Mission set an unprecedented standard for the inclusion of women: women comprise 34 per cent of the mission and 80% of its science team. The United Arab Emirates has already selected the first Arab woman to train as an astronaut, too. Emirati national Nora al-Matrooshi is a 27-year-old mechanical engineering graduate.
During my diplomatic mission, I observed Azerbaijan’s continued commitment to the inclusion and participation of women in all areas of society. It is impossible not to see women’s daily extraordinary contributions.
As H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “To address the complex challenges of today, the world needs science, and science needs women and girls.” Expo 2020 Dubai will bring the world together to highlight the importance of women and girls in science, celebrating leading women in the field, forging new partnerships, and boosting opportunities for women’s participation via a rich and diverse programme.
I’d like to remind that the UAE has launched the National Space Programme under which the UAE will prepare Emirati cadres specialised in airspace sciences. Young Emirati cadres will execute the National Space Programme. One of the key goals of National Space Programme is overseeing the realisation of the first scientific city on the Red Planet as part of the 2117 Mars programme. The city will also include a museum and laboratories for conducting zero-gravity experiments. It will also include a ‘Living on Mars’ project, which is an initiative to design and print the best buildings suitable for the Red Planet using 3D printing technology.
Note that Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre is responsible for developing National Space Programme in collaboration with international space partners.
So based on that, it could be suggested:
- women scientists and researchers both from UAE and Azerbaijan exchange experiencein this field;
- hold joint trainings in space knowledge;
- encourage more involvement in space education
Abdalla AlShamsi
Charge d’affairs