EIAST successfully holds workshop at RTA to promote outer space technology in UAE
UAE, July 14, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), successfully conducted a workshop at the head office of the UAE Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently as part of its strategic initiatives to promote the institution and its milestones as well as raise public awareness of outer space technology. The workshop was held at the RTA Auditorium and was attended by officials and employees from RTA’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Center.
During the workshop, space experts Ammar al Muhairi, Mohamed Bin Neshooq, Hessa Al Matrooshi, Eman Al Tunaiji, and Ghariba Salem made presentations about EIAST, its space programs, and its two fully functioning satellites – the Dubai Sat-1 and Dubai Sat-2. Their discussions revolved around various topics such as the remote sensing change detection, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Dubai Sat-2’s image specifications, image classification, and EIAST’s image enhancement and analysis tool. They also shared the 3D images captured by the satellites with the audience.
Further, the delegation tackled EIAST’s ongoing Khalifa Sat project, which is being developed by a team of Emirati engineers. Khalifa Sat will be launched into outer space in 2017. At the end of the workshop, an open forum was held to enable EIAST personnel to address questions and clarifications from the participants.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “The recently concluded workshop staged at the RTA was one of the many initiatives that we plan to do to raise public awareness of space science and technology. At EIAST, we want to educate the public about the role of space science in their everyday lives and how crucial it is in Dubai’s overall development and progress. During the event, our delegation did not only tackle EIAST’s landmark achievements but also how RTA could use and apply the data being captured by Dubai Sat-2 in its operations. Through this workshop and future events, we hope to generate the interest of the general population, especially the young Emiratis, to join us in our ultimate goal to position UAE as a global leader in the field of science and technology.”
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.