HBMSU concludes 2nd phase of ‘Emirati Explorer' program

Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim: We are preparing young Emiratis to take the lead and be competitive in advanced science, technology and space in preparation for next 50 years

Mansoor Al Awar: We continue to build future skills of our young people, the source of our strength and wealth, to support UAE’s scientific, technological and space achievements

05 July 2021 – The Emirates Talent Association and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) concluded the second phase of the ‘Emirati Explorer’ program, a unique scientific and knowledge platform that brings together a selected group of Emirati students to help enhance their scientific capabilities and promote science exploration using technology- and innovation-driven approach. The event served as the continuation of the two parties’ commitment to invest in young people in order to help sustain the UAE’s competitiveness and development.

The virtual ceremony, held on the Zoom platform, was attended by H.E. Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, Chairman of the Board of Governors of HBMSU, and Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association. Lt. Gen. Tamim congratulated the new batch of Emirati explorers. He called on them to continue the race towards excellence, which H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, once said, that it has no limits.

He also urged them to apply their scientific and cognitive skills and be more innovative to make a positive impact on the scientific community while increasing their knowledge, technical, leadership, and creative skills as these competencies will help fast-track the UAE’s bid to become one of the most advanced and innovative countries in the world.

He emphasized that the ‘Emirati Explorer’ program is the key to empowering young people to lead the country’s march towards excellence in scientific knowledge. The UAE has joined the ranks of advanced nations in terms of achievements in space science following the success of ‘Hope Probe.’ The country’s successful Mars mission is the realization of the dream of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which was achieved through the Emiratis’ hands.

H.E. said: “The second phase of the ‘Emirati Explorer’ program would further advance our efforts to enable our distinguished Emirati minds to take the lead in the fields of advanced science, technology, and space in line with the UAE’s preparations for the next 50 years that will help shape our country’s future.”

He added: “We call on all UAE sons and daughters to join the nation’s drive to raise their ambitions and become qualified youth professionals in science and technology and help raise the status of our country as an influential and powerful international player in the areas of science, knowledge and economy. As part of the effective partnership between the Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU, we will continue to make optimal investments in the skills development of our young Emirati people, especially in the fields of innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), space science, robotics, technology, and other disciplines vital to reshaping our future. We are confident that our youth are fully capable of achieving excellence in their scientific knowledge to help realize the ambitions of our wise leadership who believe that nothing is impossible.”

H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and the General Coordinator of the program, said that the ‘Emirati Explorer’ will continue to provide the next generations with opportunities to enhance their scientific skills as well as improve their knowledge and strengths in the areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, based on an integrated approach enhanced by advanced technology. HE pointed out that the program aims to build the skills of the future necessary to continue the UAE’s achievements in science, technology and space.

Al Awar said: “This important program has proved itself as a driving force that will help the new generations of local scientists to excel and compete with merit and competence at the global level. In response to the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the University, we will continue to equip our young Emirati scientists with the knowledge necessary to continue the gains of the Emirates, which has made history by being the first in the Arab world and fifth globally to reach Mars. We must show our determination to excel in the fields of science, research and space as part of our great responsibilities as citizens of the UAE.”

Al Awar added: “We congratulate our sons and daughters who today joined the scientific minds and the creative young energies who are qualified to make a positive imprint in advanced science, technology and space, in the future. We look forward to launching the third phase of this pioneering program, which will cover mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry. The third phase will be implemented according to a well-planned schedule with multiple and integrated stages. We will continue to utilize modern technologies to enhance the education and training process of our youth and create an innovative and creative generation equipped with the right skills, capabilities, and competencies necessary to elevate innovation, creativity, and scientific exploration in the country. Having these qualities will enable us to meet emerging challenges and maximize opportunities to achieve the ambitions of a country that does not recognize the impossible.”

The virtual ceremony included the announcement of the launch of the third phase of the ‘Emirati Explorer.’ The parents of the young participants widely praised the program initiated by the Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU to advance the knowledge, research and scientific skills of their children, who aspire to accelerate the UAE’s race towards excellence in the fields of advanced science and space technology.

The students also renewed their relentless commitment to enrich their knowledge and develop their abilities to contribute effectively to the country’s future through technological innovation and scientific knowledge excellence.

The Emirates Talent Association and HBMSU launched the ‘Emirati Explorer’ program as part of their cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The program is supported and sponsored by businessman Dr. Muhammad Omar bin Haider, Founder and Chairman of the Muhammad Omar Bin Haider Holding Group (MOBH).

The program seeks to provide Emirati students with skills and knowledge to support scientific observation and exploration, as well as equip them with the ability to use scientific methods to solve simple problems in all the basic sciences, including chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics.

The ‘Emirati Explorer’ program also focuses on building the capacities of the youth sector in the areas of sustainability, disease prevention and control, and space science while enhancing informed decision-making processes in different scientific contexts. The program strives as well to increase the confidence of local students in their ability to conduct scientific and practical experiments that are critical to their ingenuity and skills to conduct scientific inquiry.

To ensure long-term achievements, it seeks to optimally prepare Emirati students by challenging them to develop perseverance, emotional flexibility, personal skills, and leadership competency. All Emirati students participating in the program will prepare and present their final projects in November, which coincides with the UAE’s celebration of its golden jubilee and the launch of Expo 2020. Both events will serve as an ideal platform to showcase the talents of young Emiratis on the global stage.