Abu Dhabi: A joint task force will revise the educational curriculum in the country to inculcate an innovative spirit among the youth.
There are a number of initiatives and national work plans to promote innovation in the country, according to a senior official.
They include a joint taskforce that combines members from the UAE Space Agency, Ministry of Education and educational bodies to revise the curriculum, said Shaikha Al Maskari, Chief Corporate Officer at the UAE Space Agency.
They will also conduct a visibility study of the STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] curricula, she said at the First Innovation and Knowledge Forum in the capital.
Shaikha said that this step will help in developing and preparing the curricula and establishing the foundation for innovation which will in turn attract local talent from the young generation to get involved in the sector.
She also gave an overview of this innovation plan in the UAE Space Agency, which is committed to supporting organisations and individuals in coming up with innovative ideas, services and products.
She said innovation is reflected through enhanced quality of life, economic diversification, and a knowledge-based economy. Innovation is about encouraging entrepreneurship and encouraging succeeding generations through competitions at schools and universities and incorporating innovation into the school curriculum, Shaikha said.
She added that the UAE Space Agency will be a cutting-edge workplace that will foster the development of new products and services, invest in human capital, and fund infrastructure and technology development.
Dr Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said innovation is one of six pillars of the strategic values that the UAE Space Agency has adopted for the space sector. Innovation requires investment in rising talent in the next three to five years.
Al Ahbabi added that space technology is one of the pillars of the country’s economy and security, as the space sector will underpin an industrial base that will support research and development among companies and enhance technical skills of the workforce.
He said the country’s leadership began planning for this ambitious national project in 1976, when Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan met a delegation from Nasa.
Al Ahbabi said the country’s investment in space has amounted to Dh20 billion. This investment is distributed over three main companies — Thuraya, YahSat and Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, which is responsible for the implementation of the Mars exploration project (Al Amal Probe), he said.
