TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its Dubai office, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE Space Agency to enhance cooperation in academic research, future studies, opinion polling, training, and capacity building. The agreement also seeks to unify academic and knowledge-based efforts to support the rapidly developing UAE space industry and contribute to building a sustainable knowledge economy.
The MoU was signed, on the sidelines of the 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow, by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, and H.E. Engineer Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, in the presence of sector heads and department directors from both organizations.
The MoU seeks to conduct original and joint research and to apply it to serving the community and expanding the knowledge base, thereby benefiting from expertise in policy and research fields. It further provides for cooperation in preparing reports for the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue, extracting outputs, documenting discussions, workshops, and dialogues, and analyzing dialogue outcomes that are related to future policies.
Supporting Space Policies
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stated that the cooperation and partnership with the UAE Space Agency represent a pivotal step in the center’s journey and are in line with TRENDS’ vision, which aims to produce constructive future knowledge that supports societal policies.
He added that the space sector is one of the UAE’s most critical strategic fields, and that the center, through this sustainable cooperation, will conduct rigorous scientific research to support the sector’s policies and analyze its regional and international development prospects.
Anticipating the Future of Technology
Dr. Al-Ali noted that the two sides will work to prepare and conduct specialized research and studies on the space sector and its impact on various vital domains. These studies will cover diverse areas, including space policies, the economic and social dimensions of space exploration, cybersecurity in the space sector, and anticipating the future of technology and innovation.
He added that TRENDS and the UAE Space Agency will also collaborate to design and implement a series of specialized opinion polls to measure local, regional, and international public opinion on the UAE’s space programs and their impact on the country’s image as a leading center for science and innovation. In addition, they will organize a range of joint training programs and workshops to develop the skills of national cadres in scientific research, data analysis, and future studies, particularly in space-related sectors.
Accelerating Innovation
H.E. Engineer Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, affirmed that cooperation with TRENDS is consistent with the Agency’s strategy, which aims to build effective partnerships with leading global think tanks and academic and research institutions.
He explained that integrating the research and academic dimensions with the practical applications of the space sector will accelerate innovation and help prepare national cadres to lead this future-oriented sector. He emphasized that such joint efforts enrich knowledge and strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global power in space, science, and technology.
Producing Proactive Knowledge
Al Qubaisi further explained that the cooperation and partnership with TRENDS will contribute to producing proactive knowledge that supports policy formulation and informed decision-making in the space sector and related fields.
It will also aid in developing Emirati human capital in advanced scientific research and modern technology, while creating an interactive dialogue platform that brings together experts and specialists to discuss challenges and opportunities in the space and advanced technology sectors.
This, he added, will support scientific research and future foresight, both of which are essential pillars for building a bright and prosperous future for the coming generations and humanity as a whole.
