Innovation
A new space age Zeeshan Nabi, GEMS International School’s Chief Innovation and Digital Officer, shares his thoughts on the rise of space projects and his school’s new Centre of Excellence for Aviation, Aeronautics and Space
Zeeshan Nabi is the Chief Innovation and Digital Officer at GIS
A
ll of us will have looked up to the sky at some point in our lives and dreamt about flying through space, speeding past distant planets and maybe even visiting unknown lands beyond. And over time, thanks to rapid technological developments, country-level investment and space tourism projects such as those by Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX, space travel has shifted from an impossible dream to something within reach for more and more people. On 25 September 2019, Hazzaa Al Mansoori embarked on a historic mission and became the first person from the United Arab Emirates to go to space. Speaking at the Humans in Space 2019 Symposium, Al Mansoori made clear that he was one of those
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Issue 8 | March 2020
children that once looked up to the sky in wonderment. Addressing a room packed full of guests, including a number of wideeyed students, he captured the audience’s imagination with tales about his background, training and mission. During the event’s panel session, experts from Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) discussed the inception of the space mission and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, to develop a sustainable space programme. It is clear that space travel is not merely a one-off, but here to stay and grow in the UAE. Al Mansoori described the dreams he had of being an astronaut and how he felt the closest he could get to this was by becoming a pilot. He studied and trained hard and went on to become one of the UAE’s best pilots, which eventually provided him with the launchpad he needed to become an astronaut. Aviation has been at the heart of the UAE’s growth and development as a country. The country has become a leader in
air trade facilitation. According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), the UAE’s aviation sector is set to develop even further and by 2037, could support 1.4 million jobs and contribute $128 billion to the nation’s GDP. With the rise of the space and aviation sectors, it is now more vital than ever that we give young people a head start. The opportunity to work within these sectors is no longer just a dream; it is becoming a reality for increasing numbers of young people.
