May 22 - 2011
UAE's NASA interns describe mission work at Global Space and Satellite Forum
The recently returned team of five NASA UAE interns, engineering students at Abu Dhabi universities, along with their 2010 fellow scholars participated in a panel discussion to describe their various mission work to space experts and over 300 aspiring college students during the global space and satellite forum.
The interns participated in bleeding-edge research with a few of NASA's brightest minds and alongside peers from America's top R&D engineering universities toward finding solutions to issues facing not only the space industry but all of humanity. The Emirati interns have returned home better equipped to solve pressing challenges also facing the UAE such as water scarcity and energy conservation.
Khalid Al Ali, Khalifa Al Gafli, Faisal Al Haira, Khalifa Al Marzouqi, and Abdullah Al Qubaisi spent 15 weeks at NASA's Ames Research Centre in Silicon Valley, California where their projects entailed wind turbine analysis, nano-satellite development, grey water recycling, and green building technology testing.
Al Haira, an avionics engineer in training, was part of a team that worked on finding solutions to prevent wind turbine damage in aircraft, "The work was not easy - NASA is famous for its cutting edge work in the aeronautics industry. Being an intern has taken me to another level — I'm now able to see a bigger picture and take on more responsibilities."
The internships were created by the UAE's Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the program is sponsored by Mubadala Aerospace, a private company owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Commenting on the internships, Lisa LaBonte, CEO, AYVF stated, "As we move into year two of our NASA internships, all of the mission work undertaken by our UAE interns at NASA will have direct applicability to research and development occurring in the UAE."
"This level of relevance and the collaborative opportunities this provides is of great benefit to all and further strengthens USA-UAE cooperation in areas of science and technology transfer," she added.
UAE's NASA interns describe mission work at Global Space and Satellite Forum | Arab Youth Venture Foundation | AMEinfo.com
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06.11.10
NASA Ames Welcomes Summer Interns from United Arab Emirates
NASA is cutting edge for more than just its research development; it also is pushing the envelope for its student internship programs. This week, three United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals will start a student internship program at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Shamma Al Qassim, 19, Hazza Bani Malek, 20 and Hamad Rajab, 21 were selected for a NASA education initiative to work with top scientists on a variety of projects, including the space shuttle and International Space Station, deep space missions, solar system exploration and aeronautics research.
As part of an agreement between NASA and the non-profit Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF), up to 12 UAE students per year for three years may participate in the program. Students are sponsored by Mubadala, a part of the Abu Dhabi government, and will start their 10-week training this week.
According to S. Pete Worden, director of NASA Ames, providing young people an opportunity to learn about space exploration can create a strong friendship between great nations to pursue common dreams.
“Under this program, the goodwill generated by students working side by side with our NASA scientists and researchers will serve as a bridge between the USA and UAE, opening the doors for future collaboration in scientific research. I can only imagine what discoveries might be achieved through such cooperation,” said Worden.
Al Qassim, a computer engineering major at the American University of Sharjah, will intern with a team to analyze thermal infrared (TIR) data retrieved from NASA satellite sensor Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and determine if it can be used to predict earthquakes. As part of the internship, she also will help prepare and submit results to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Bani Malek, who is pursuing a major in mechatronics at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Ras Al Khaimah, will work with NASA researchers and engineers to update facility automation in the Electric Arc Shock Tube facility, which simulates the high enthalpy (heat) environment encountered by spacecraft entering planetary atmospheres. This work involves both hardware and software modification using programmable logic controllers and LabView software to automate and improve the operation of the facility.
Rajab, an electrical engineering student, will intern with NASA researchers and engineers to re-purpose a new cutting-edge water recycling system, designed for long-term duration space missions, for the new Ames ‘Green Building,’ Sustainability Base. The proposed water treatment system is a technology developed by NASA Ames, which filters wastewater for re-use and reduces water consumption.
Students will be given hands-on experience with computer software and technology, and NASA engineering expertise during all aspects of the projects.
“NASA’s space exploration research has resulted in or contributed to commercial spinoffs that have given consumers of the world innovations, such as laser technology, business jets, environmental monitoring systems, robots for aircraft maintenance, virtual reality, home insulation, night vision cameras and thousands of other popular products and applications,” said Lisa LaBonte, chief executive officer of AYVF. “NASA internships add value to a multitude of careers across some of the most dynamic sectors of the economies globally.”
NASA - NASA Ames Welcomes Summer Interns from United Arab Emirates
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Dec. 7, 2009
NASA and Arab Youth Venture Foundation Launch Student Program
NASA and the Arab Youth Venture Foundation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) have partnered to provide three to 12 UAE engineering students each year the opportunity to work with U.S. students, scientists, and engineers on NASA missions. The program's goal is to engage outstanding college students from the UAE in fields of science, technology, engineering and aerospace.
"The space program has a unique ability to inspire students to pursue excellence in disciplines that drive science and technology innovation," said Joyce Winterton, assistant administrator for education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "With this Space Act Agreement, NASA will engage outstanding students in the UAE to continue their development in the critical skills of science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
Under this program, UAE students will join U.S. students in a research project administered by the Education Associates Program at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. UAE student involvement will provide U.S. student participants with valuable experience and knowledge about working together with representatives from other countries. The Education Associates Program anticipates its first group of Education Research Fellows in January 2010. Corporations and government entities in the UAE will sponsor the foundation's activities in full, including costs related to student lodging, housing, and transportation.
"There is much work to be done to promote and deliver inspired science, technology, education, aerospace and math education in the Arab world that is hands-on and conducted in real world settings," said Lisa-Renee LaBonte, chief executive officer of the Arab Youth Venture Foundation. "This groundbreaking program, administered by NASA, will provide select UAE citizens the opportunity to work with NASA scientists, researchers, and engineers on actual NASA missions."
Founded in Ras Al Khaimah, the Arab Youth Venture Foundation is dedicated to imagining and bringing to life initiatives that nurture the innovative spirits and entrepreneurial mindsets of youth aged six to 21 across the Arab world. The foundation's goal is to create activities that develop the next generation of scientific researchers, engineers, inventors, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs.
Since 1998, the Education Associates Program has placed more than 1,500 U.S. students from schools throughout the country in research positions working on NASA missions. Cooperation with the Arab Youth Venture Foundation will provide future U.S. participants in this NASA sponsored program at Ames with valuable cultural exposure and experience in working with their international counterparts.
This new partnership and NASA's many other education programs play a key role in preparing, inspiring, exciting, encouraging, and nurturing students in the critical disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
NASA - NASA and Arab Youth Venture Foundation Launch Student Program
