Three Emirati students have sky-high ambitions for the future after learning how to build and launch model rockets in the US.
The trio, who study aerospace engineering at Khalifa University, spent 15 days in California building the rockets from scratch before launching them in the Mojave Desert.
The successful project was part of a science, technology, engineering and maths programme by Decenture, an education technology company that has its headquarters in the US.
More than 150 Emirati youths have been involved in various programmes linked to the company.
Last month, it helped Rawand Al Hashmi, 21, Shouq Al Saadi, 20, and Sultan Baslaib, 20, participate in an initiative held by Tripoli Rocketry and the NYUAD engineering Lab.
All three students hope to go on to work at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, to help propel the country to even greater heights.
“We had an amazing experience. I’m even more interested in developing rockets after this programme,” Mr Baslaib said.
“I learnt a lot of new things, especially about the electronics. We programmed a device that delays or locks down the parachute for a certain amount of time so that we can reach the altitude.
“On the simulator, the rocket was supposed to reach 1,570 metres, but with a bit more weight on the rocket, some of us reached 1,500 metres.
“By programming that device, we can also prevent the rocket from malfunctioning. These were all great new things to learn.”
Students involved in the programme are required to spend their weekends camping in the Mojave Desert, where they test and launch their rockets.
The trio were the first Emirati students to participate in the high-powered rocketry academy.
Ms Al Saadi said she was proud to represent her country.
“We went there representing the UAE and that really had a huge impact on me, and it was really special,” she said.
“Apart from the technical parts, what really made me happy was working with other nationalities. We learnt from each other and that was a wonderful experience.”
Ms Al Hashmi said she was grateful to receive practical experience, because the Covid-19 pandemic shifted the focus of her studies to theoretical aspects.
She said she developed skills such as graphic design, building a rocket and working with a team.
“I think one of the best things was that we learnt how to use a 3D printer,” Ms Al Hashmi said.
“It’s beneficial for us to learn how to use it, because, in our field we design and manufacture airplane or space vehicle parts.”
Loubna Hadid, founder of Decenture, said she hoped to bring the rocketry programme to the UAE in the future.
Some of the technology used in the rockets is not currently available for civilian use in the country.
“Hopefully, in the next two to three years, we will be able to work with local agencies and educational institutions to allow youths like these to get involved with such experiments,” she said.
“I’m hoping this has igniting something in them that would inspire their colleagues to join and be part of the programme next year.”
Ms Hadid said many students in the programme were curious about the UAE’s blossoming space sector.
The UAE has made international headlines for sending its first astronaut to space in 2019, while its Hope probe reached Mars in February 2021 and the nation has also started a long-term Moon exploration programme.
“I could hear questions coming from other students about what’s going on in the UAE. There’s a lot that’s going on, so the space programme is being more and more recognised,” she said.
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Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Torque: 985Nm
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Launch year: 2017
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Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
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Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
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Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
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Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
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