Sharjah:
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), part of the University of Sharjah (UoS), welcomed a NASA delegation on April 8, 2025, to forge a game-changing partnership. This collaboration aims to supercharge education and research, offering students internships, expertise swaps, and a front-row seat to cutting-edge space science with the world’s top space agency.
Professor Yousef Haik, UoS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, hailed the tie-up as a leap forward. “Working with NASA plugs us into next-level tech, enriching our students and faculty,” he said. It’s all about crafting an innovative learning hub to churn out future scientists ready to tackle global challenges. SAASST’s mission? Pairing up with elite institutions like NASA to push astronomy and tech boundaries.
Research is getting a major lift too. Professor Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, said the deal will turbocharge projects and open doors to international gigs. “This puts us on the global map,” he added, noting how students and staff will dive into NASA-led studies. Daniel Evans from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate praised SAASST’s regional clout, predicting a boost in UAE-US science swaps and breakthroughs in uncharted fields.
The NASA crew toured SAASST’s labs, checked out future projects, and caught a dazzling Sharjah Planetarium show. They also got the lowdown on training programs sharpening students’ skills and firing up space fans. With this partnership, SAASST is poised to launch the next generation of cosmic pioneers.
