Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, stated that the UAE has become a centre of enlightenment for science and knowledge and home to world-class and prominent universities in terms of facilities, administration, and human resources.
Since its establishment, the UAE has been paying proper attention to the development of human capital as a real asset for the progress of the nation, Sheikh Saud said while attending the 9th convocation ceremony for 165 graduates - 67 from the Colleges of Pharmacy and 98 from the College Nursing - in RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, RAKMHSU, at the University Auditorium.
Sheikh Saud congratulated the graduates, saying the fruit of their studies and diligence will enrich their professional career.
Several Sheikhs, senior local officials, and heads of local government departments, as well as faculty staff and administrators attended the event.
Recently, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi emphasised that the UAE is moving steadily towards enhancing its stature as a pioneering hub for science, knowledge and exploring the future through joining exploration of space in accordance with an overall vision and an ambitious national programme.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi said, “The launch of the spaceflight of Hazza Al Mansoori as the first UAE astronaut to the International Space Station is a unique milestone in the history of the country and a source of pride for Emiratis as well as a qualitative leap towards a new era that entrenches the country’s stature in the space field.”
He added, ‘’Today, we are living moments of pride as the dream and ambition of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan have become true through entering space field with the hands of Hazza Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi as part of the UAE Space Programme launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that embodies the UAE leadership’s confidence in Emiratis and their ability to add new chapter in the UAE’s extraordinary achievements and ambition that does not know ‘impossible’.”
This historic moment will be a source of pride and inspiration for the Emirati youth in general and will be immortal for the generation to come that reflects the will of the wise leadership and the Emirati people who is loyal to the values and ambition of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan represented in the launch of the KhalifaSat and today the first Emirati astronaut who flew to space and tomorrow the ‘Hope Mars Mission’, a space exploration probe mission to Mars, he noted.
The space mission carrying the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori, aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz MS-15, was launched successfully at 5:57 pm (UAE time) on Wednesday.
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnessed the launch live from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Dubai.
Hundreds of people had gathered at the centre to watch the history unfold, as the first Emirati mission to the International Space Station (ISS) launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Al Mansoori is accompanied on the mission by Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir.
Sheikh Hamdan dedicated this historic achievement to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He said the achievement is a reminder of the historical contributions of Arabs to world knowledge and science, which are still being taught today in the world’s largest universities and science institutes.
He expressed his best wishes to the astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri for the completion of the historic mission and the scientific experiments planned as part of it.
WAM