UAE's SARA Academy Launches Advanced STEM Curriculum Integrating AI and Sustainability

The Space and Rocketry Academy UAE (SARA UAE), operating under the supervision of Compass International in Dubai, has officially announced the launch of a significantly expanded training phase. This major overhaul of its educational offerings signals a fundamental and strategic shift in how the next generation of engineers and innovators will be developed. The updated curriculum now fully integrates two critical contemporary fields: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the essential principles of sustainable development.

The newly introduced, comprehensive training cycle includes intensive weekly workshops. These sessions delve deeply into SARA's traditional core subjects—space and rocketry—while simultaneously introducing the new, vital disciplines. Ms. Lissy Donald, the Managing Director of Compass International, stated that this proactive initiative clearly demonstrates the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to establishing an innovative, knowledge-based future for the nation. Furthermore, Engineer Nasser Al Rashdi of the National Space Academy highlighted the importance of these steps, noting that they effectively arm the youth with the forward-thinking global perspective required to successfully execute the UAE's ambitious national space strategy.

Marking the inauguration of this new educational phase was the participation of veteran space flyer, NASA astronaut Dr. Donald Pettit. Dr. Pettit, whose extensive career includes spending 590 days in space across four missions, including flights on the space shuttles Columbia and Discovery, shared his vast expertise with the students. His professional journey began as a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he researched fluid behavior in low-gravity environments. His continued dedication to advanced research is evidenced by his recent seven-month tenure aboard the Soyuz MS-26 crew in September 2024, focusing on critical areas like water purification technologies and plant growth in microgravity.

The core mission of SARA UAE is to provide access to world-class STEM education through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students are given hands-on opportunities to design satellites, program robotic systems, and construct rockets, treating AI and sustainability as essential working tools rather than abstract concepts. Interactive sessions, such as demonstrations of the NASA multi-axis astronaut training simulator, allow young participants to experience the dynamic and challenging nature of space preparation firsthand, fostering deep engagement with the material.

The National Space Academy of the UAE is a cornerstone of the UAE Space Agency’s “Transformational Projects,” specifically designed to cultivate skilled personnel crucial for the nation's space program architecture. Launched in November 2023, this structure aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of national space programs and stimulate human capital development, thereby facilitating the UAE economy's transition toward a robust, knowledge-based model. The emphasis on practical skills and the involvement of global figures like Dr. Pettit instill a global mindset and team spirit in these young talents, preparing them for successful careers in space exploration, robotics, and environmental sustainability.