EIAST Launches ‘Super Resolution Tool’ that Enhances Resolution & Clarity of Satellite Images

Developer Eng. Saeed Al Mansoori achieves major technological and scientific innovation
   
UAE, May 11, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) revealed that ‘EIAST Super Resolution Tool’  developed by Saeed Al Mansoori, an Emirati engineer involved in EAIST’s center of application and analysis development project, has boosted and enhanced the resolution of satellite images – including those taken by DubaiSat-2 – by 0.75 meters. The innovative tool significantly improves the image details by increasing the number of pixels when zoomed in. This subsequently enhances the degree of contrast and highlights the edges and borders that represent infrastructures, roads, and buildings, among others.

Commenting on the new achievement, H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “The ‘Super Resolution Tool’ provides a strategic dimension to EIAST’s numerous achievements which will further bolster the institute’s future successes in the fields of scientific research and technological innovation. This also falls in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We commend Eng. Saeed Al Mansoori for observing the highest level of professionalism and excellence while creating the tool. His success proves that EIAST’s efforts to train Emiratis are now bearing fruit. We show that we are capable of achieving a comprehensive scientific innovation, which is one of the basic pillars of the future.”
Eng. Saeed AL-Mansoori, Associate Image Processing Engineer in the Applications Development and Analysis Center at EIAST

For his part, Al Mansoori said his success was made possible because of the strong support received from the leadership to promote space industry in the emirate. He praised EIAST for encouraging technological creativity and scientific innovation among citizens as key to propelling Dubai into one of the most developed nations in the world.

He added: “The development of the new tool was in response to the growing need of improving the quality of satellite images. Usually, these images have fixed resolutions, and it would be difficult to upgrade these once the satellites have already been launched into the outer space. The ‘Super Resolution Tool’ has saved us from the efforts of designing new complex parts just to improve the quality of the captured images. It has also reduced the costs of satellite production. Moreover, the tool is flexibility as it could also be modified to fit other applications such as radars, surveillance cameras, and various medical fields.”
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.
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British Council to Host English Language Training (ELT) Tour Featuring 12 UK Universities on May 8 in Dubai

Globally, one in seven is said to be learning English, and around 750 million people use it regularly
Dubai, UAE, 6th May 2014 – The British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, estimates that globally one in seven peopleis learning English and around 750 million people use it regularly.

These estimates were releasedduring the British Council’s announcement of its English Language Training (ELT) tour which will be held in Park Regis Hotel in Dubai on Thursday May 8. The tour will feature more than 12 UK universities targeting schools and individual candidates.
Marc Jessel, British Council Country Director, said: “Dedicated sessions for schools will take place from 10am to 12 noon and an open session will be held from 5pm to 9pm. The main objective of the tour is to raisethe proficiency of English language among those who need it in their liveson the strength of it being the global language of business, diplomacy, communications, transport, science and IT, among other sectors.”
He added: “We are glad that most of the decision making organisations here value the role ofthe Englishlanguage and facilitate the process of learningit,as they are aware of the connection between studying English and building a skilled workforce.”
Mr. Jessel commented: “Against this background, it is not surprising thatpeople are searching forsuitable English language teachinginstitutions, either for themselves or  their children. We believe this tour will go a long way in addressing their requirements.”
The British Council recommends that learners choose a course conducted by an organisationthat is accredited, in order to ensure highest standards and maximum efficacy of the learning process.
Heexplained: “The aim of this tour is to develop the level in English among people. We offer a variety of courses offline and online. The tour will allow our students explore the exciting learning opportunities British Council offers to improve English Language skills.”
Some of the participants in the tour include University of Leeds, Cavendish School of English, Cambridge Regional College, Kingston College, University of Worcester Language Centre, Alpha Omega College, Harrow College, The University of Sheffield, Guildford College of Further & Higher Education, York Associates, Capital School of English (Bournemouth) and English UK.
“Enhancing English language skills allows our students to tap greater opportunities in life professionally and personally,”Mr. Jessel added.
The British Council contributes to the economic development of businesses in the region through English.As a world authority in the English language,the British Council works across a wide range of English teaching and assessment services, as well as with ministries of education to improve the English language teaching in education institutions around the world.
The ELT tour demonstrates the British Council’s commitment to supportingthe journey of learning of English in the UAE. We expect a good response to the tour and look forward to fruitful interaction with learners and representatives from learning institutions, and this will contribute to the betterment of learning of English in the UAE,” Mr. Jessel said.

EIAST to Showcase Career Prospects in Space Industry at Careers UAE 2014

Institution looking to employ qualified job seekers who want to be part of the Khalifa Sat project
UAE, April 22, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), is participating at Careers UAE 2014, which will be held from April 22 to 24, 2014 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition offers Emirati engineering graduates suitable job opportunities related to space industry. The participation complements EIAST’s efforts to attract talented Emirati job seekers and enable them to contribute to UAE’s efforts to develop advanced technological innovations. EIAST also provides an opportunity to UAE Nationals to gain expertise in space industry by meeting with world’s top space technology leaders.   

EIAST Director General H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani explained that the agency gives top priority to Emiratis who have potentials in making it to the country’s space program, which aims to promote UAE’s comprehensive technical and scientific development.  He said Careers UAE 2014 is an ideal platform to directly communicate with graduates and engineers who are willing to join EIAST’s Khalifa Sat project. The project offers promising career and professional prospects aimed at shaping the future of the country.  
“We look forward to recruiting a group of graduates who want to work in Khalifa Sat project, which is of particular importance as it will be the first satellite to be 100 per cent built and manufactured by UAE Nationals. It is EIAST’s third major project,” said H.E. Al Shaibani. 
He added that EIAST is committed to investing in manpower training to boost Emirati skills and knowledge in developing and manufacturing advanced satellites. EIAST’s innovative projects are meant to promote UAE’s competitiveness in the regional and international levels.
“We are keen on developing the competencies of UAE nationals working at EIAST. We provide world-class professional and career development programs, including a special program to cater to first and second year engineering students, and competitive work environment to encourage creativity and innovation among our nationals. These young minds and talents will drive future development and excellence. We provide ongoing support to those students to enable them to complete their higher education in the area of space technology within top universities in the world. This is poised to build a well-qualified generation of scientists and experts who are able to promote UAE’s pivotal position as a leading country in space research, scientific research, and technical innovation. All of these efforts are in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” Al Shaibani concluded. 
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.

GETEX Spring 2014 Concludes with Flying Colours, Appreciation from Exhibitors & Visitors

Approx. 31,000 people visited the event to gain insights on latest trends in higher education & available university programs 
Dubai, UAE, April 21, 2014 – The 26th edition of the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX), which was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, successfully concluded recently, drawing around 31,000 visitors during its three-day run. The event welcomed several eminent guests and dignitaries, including H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qutami, UAE Minister of Education; Dr. Saeed Al Hassani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); and H.E. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Bin Yassin, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education.

Exhibitors at the show commended the importance of the event for the education and training sector of the region. They acknowledged the exhibition’s unique platform which allows education services providers to interact with prospective students, and their parents, from the UAE and the wider Middle Eastern region, and inform them about the latest trends within the global education sector. Moving forward, GETEX is scheduled to return in 2015 with an improved format, to offer both exhibitors and visitors even better marketing and promotional benefits.
Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), the organizing company of GETEX, said: “We are extremely delighted to conclude another successful edition of GETEX. This year, we surpassed all expectations and received an overwhelmingly positive response from our exhibitors as well as our visitors at large. The success of the exhibition has once again made us realise the strategic importance of GETEX and its effectiveness in bringing global educational providers on a common platform with potential students. This year’s immensely fruitful event has fuelled our motivation to return next year with improved features and offerings.”  
Commenting on their participation at the show, Stephen Socks, Marketing Manager, Middlesex University Dubai, said: “GETEX is a very critical and indispensable component of our marketing strategy for kicking off our campaign until September. Our participation helps us reach our targets of enrolling potential students into our programmes. The exhibition also provides us with a quality platform to showcase our admissions office and provide students the opportunity to enroll in one of our university programs on the spot.”
“GETEX 2014 is a great opportunity for us to promote our centre under the ‘Education Malaysia’ umbrella and in turn, raise awareness about Malaysia’s rich culture and its top grade education landscape to the rest of the world. Our main objective is to showcase our offerings to the myriad of Arab nationals living here and attract them to study in Malaysia, experiencing a new lifestyle and a great education program”, remarked Marliza Zorakin Malek, Managing Director, My Aspiration.
Mouza Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Manager of Student Recruitment at United Arab Emirates University, added: “The exhibition was very good in terms of quality visitors and timings during the day, which helped us meet a significant level of potential students, specifically potential post-graduate candidates seeking our programs. The organization of the event was also exceptionally good with the organisers being very cooperative and helping us with whatever we needed.”
“GETEX 2014 has been a very exciting and productive experience for us in helping us showcase our new campus, which is expected to be finished in 2015 and one that will be the largest education institute in the UAE. Throughout the show, we were able to establish contacts with candidates from different countries, such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Tanzania and give them the opportunity to register with our university for the next semester in September,” concluded Mariam Shaikh, Vice President, Student Recruitment & Admissions, Amity University Dubai.
More than 350 educational institutions from India, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Turkey, Lebanon, Ireland, and other parts of the world showcased over 2,500 academic, training and vocational courses to an approximate 31,000 visitors. The exhibition comprehensively focused on four key segments – General Education, Higher Education, Vocational & Occupational Training, and Professional Development, aligning comprehensively with the region’s booming education sector and the government’s ambitious plans for education reform in the UAE. 

DubaiSat-2 Successfully Completes in Orbit Commissioning

Satellite is now fully operational and images are calibrated and validated
UAE, April 14, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has announced that DubaiSat-2’s in orbit commissioning is complete and the satellite is now fully operational.

The satellite had undergone the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) starting last November 21, 2013, this phase requires testing for the satellite to verify and validate the operation of the system and subsystem level electronics of the spacecraft and how they function under the harsh space environment.
Once the satellite is in stable operation the next phase is calibration and validation of the telescope and sensors, these tests are the final steps before the satellite can be declared fully operational and they are dedicated to ensuring the quality of the data products derived from the satellite are at their highest in terms of quality and accuracy.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, said: “The successful conclusion of the commissioning and in orbit operation of DubaiSat-2 which is the final phase of the project has reaffirmed the UAE’s leading position on the regional aerospace map. All the efforts undertaken by the EIAST and its engineers are aligned with the visionary plans of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai of making the UAE a satellite design and manufacturing hub for the region.
“The calibration and validation activities were conducted to ensure that the images will be useful to our customers and that they are of the highest quality which is crucial for the success of the mission. DubaiSat-2 now being fully operational signals the start of our mission to provide useful and timely data to our customers from the government and private sectors, domestically and internationally and to benefit the nation,” concluded Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General of Scientific and Technical Affairs, EIAST.
DubaiSat-2 has also passed the tests conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently in collaboration with the EIAST, on the satellite’s Propulsion System, in addition to the other examinations ordered to ensure its safety and readiness. In addition, EIAST has signed an agreement with Satrec Initiative for worldwide promotion and distribution of DubaiSat-2’s products and services to global customers.
DubaiSat-2 is an electro-optical earth observation satellite launched with a purpose to provide high-resolution images of the world. DubaiSat-2 is capable of taking multiple images of the same area as well as adept in receiving and processing them from anywhere in the world within a day. The images taken from the satellite will be utilized for various purposes, including environmental projects, urban planning, and infrastructure development as well as providing specialized reports to Government stake holders.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development, satellite manufacturing and systems development, space imaging, and ground station services and support for other satellites.
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For more information about EIAST, please visit www.eiast.ae.
For latest news and developments on Khalifa Sat, please follow us on:
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28 National Pavilions to Participate in the 16th WETEX 2014

Dubai, UAE, 28 March 2014 – The 16th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2014 has attracted participation from 40 counties including 28 national pavilions to date over an area of 1,490 sqm out of the total display area. WETEX 2014 is organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) with the theme ‘At the Forefront of Sustainability’ and under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance of the UAE and President of DEWA. The exhibition will take place from 14–16 April 2014 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In addition to the national pavilions, the exhibition has confirmed participation from prominent government organisations including DEWA and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, the UAE Ministry of Energy, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, Emirates Global Aluminium, Zayed International Prize for the Environment, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, Drydocks World, Hamriyah Free Zone, Ajman Municipality & Planning Dept, Fujairah Municipality, Department of Planning and Development of the Ports, Customs and Free Zones of Dubai, Al Ain Municipality’s Department of Municipal Affairs, Friends of the Environment Society, Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), International Centre For Biosaline Agriculture, Emirates Science Club, Environmental Centre for Arab Towns, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Abu Dhabi Sewerage Service Company, Dubai Police, UAE Society of Engineers and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, and from the GCC, Qatar Electricity and Water Company.
DEWA said that companies from countries such as the UAE, Qatar, UK, Italy, India, US, Spain, Germany, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Russia, France, Belgium, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, Finland Romania and Iran have confirmed their participation at the exhibition. More countries have also announced their participation, some of are taking place through joint pavilions like the Spanish-Austrian pavilion and others have a prominent presence at WETEX 2014 like Poland.
WETEX 2014 registered remarkable participation from a total number of 40 countries to date, reflecting an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.
“This is the biggest WETEX ever since its inception of over a decade and a half ago. The growth percentages indicate great success,” said HE Saeed MohammedAl Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA. “This year’s exhibition, organised by DEWA under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, registered an increase of 9.33% in the number of exhibiting companies. Also, there is a remarkable rise in the number of participating countries compared to the previous year.”
“The initiatives led by DEWA have placed it among leading international institutions in the energy, water and electricity sectors which prioritise environmental sustainability. Moreover, DEWA has been able through WETEX over the last 16 years, to be a role model for specialised exhibitions in the region,” added Al Tayer.
“WETEX’s success this year is not only dependant on the increase in the number of national pavilions but also in the rise of the display area of these pavilions to cope with the greater number of participants from these countries. We think that this type of growth is due to our positive international reputation, which in turn will generate additional participation in future shows,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer said that national pavilions a attract larger flow of visitors, compared to companies which are participating individually, as many of the participating countries hold an excellent reputation in the electricity, water and environment sectors.
WETEX 2013 registered participation from 22 national pavilions spread over an area of 1,047 sqm.
WETEX 2014 will also include seminars to discuss topics relevant to electricity, water, solar and nuclear energy as well as energy, water, and natural resource conservation and sustainable development and other topics that are currently in the spotlight, of the public and private sectors around the world.

EIAST Receives Adeeb Al Balushi and Showcases Latest Projects and Achievements

The move is in line with directives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed to sponsor younger talents
UAE, April 1, 2014 The young Emirati inventor Adeeb Suleiman Al Balushi, recently visited the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) where he met a group of engineers and was elaborately introduced to the institute’s projects including DubaiSat-1, DubaiSat-2 and Khalifa Sat – the first satellite to be fully built and manufactured at the hands of 100% UAE engineers. This move follows the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, appointing EIAST to supervise the child’s scientific trip.

 
Known as the young Emirati inventor, Al Balushi toured around the institute and learned about the functioning of the ground station which is responsible for monitoring and operating the two satellites, DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2. The wonder boy reaffirmed his commitment to continue to gain best scientific knowledge and technical expertise in order to help achieve better progress in the UAE. He further expressed his delight to have visited EIAST whose ongoing scientific achievements primarily aim to serve the community by creating a leading specialized facility that is able to position the country as a regional and global leader in space industry and improve its footprint in this vital area which helps shape the future.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “We appreciate the trust that H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has placed in EIAST. On par with the directives of His Highness, we will follow up with the scientific trip of Al Balushi, one of the youngest investors of the world. EIAST is committed to provide full support to national competences while catering to the current and potential needs and requirements in line with the aspirations of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the country as an international hub for excellence by disseminating the culture of superiority and creativity and offering a proper environment that is able to achieve comprehensive sustainable development across the UAE.”
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has ordered to organize a scientific trip for Adeeb Al Balushi across seven of the most advanced and developed countries in the area of science and research. His Highness also assigned EIAST to follow up and evaluate his progress on a regular basis in order to ensure that Al Balushi makes best of this trip.   
The 10 year old Al Balushi is the youngest Arab scientist and among the youngest investors in the world. His first invention was a waterproof prosthetic limb to help his polio-affected father practice swimming and diving. Today, he holds 7 scientific patents and has been awarded many local, Arab and international certificates of appreciation and membership.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites. For more information about EIAST, please visit www.eiast.ae.
For latest news and developments on Khalifa Sat, please follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/khalifasat_project

GETEX Spring 2014 Unveils 2500 Educational Programs Serving UAE’s Growing Education Sector

Middle East’s longest running student sourcing show to connect learners with global education providers
UAE, February 11th, 2014 – According to a recent study, the student population in the GCC has experienced a steady growth with a prediction to reach 11.3 million in 2020 from 9.5 million in 2010. Approximately 24 per cent of total government expenditure is spent on the development of the UAE education sector which has an estimated market size of USD 7.3 billion. To throw the spotlight on the surge in the country’s education sector, GETEX Spring 2014 will take place from April 9 to 11, 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, GETEX is the longest running student recruitment event in the region and an effective podium for all education providers to reach out to students with their academic offerings. The 26th edition of the fair will provide a perfect gateway for almost 20,000 Arab and expat students to connect with more than 500 exhibitors from over 40 countries and seek detailed information about over 2,500 featured educational programs from around the world.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), said: “While the UAE is fast emerging as a preferred destination for foreign education organizations and investors, the country’s education sector is poised for a significant growth. Through GETEX, we want to reiterate our firm support to promote academic excellence in the country and the region by offering students a wide range of choices in academic programs and campuses. In turn, we hope to address the broader educational requirements of students that will enable them to gain the necessary proficiency to make the right career move. Aside from leading universities and educational institutions highlighting their courses, we have weaved in some new segments into the show, including a Career Advisory Forum, to deliver a more value-added  experience for both visitors and exhibitors.”

Supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Dubai Knowledge Village and the Dubai International Academic City, GETEX is the only education fair in the UAE dedicated to student enollment for schools and universities. GETEX Spring 2014 will focus on key areas of education such as General Education, Higher Education, Vocational Education, and Training and Professional Development, with the intent to deliver a well-rounded approach towards learning.
For a second year, the Counsellors Forum will also be back by popular demand at GETEX, providing a valuable and interactive platform to directly inform students about courses and campuses. It will guide students to choose the most suitable course(s) and educational institution correlating to their career path. Additionally, the Career Advisory Forum is the latest initiative by GETEX that will help students gain insights about the global employment scene and human resource forces impacting multinational companies as well as big corporations. It will also offer vast opportunities for students to network with top employers in the region.  
Spread across an area of 14,000 sq. meters, GETEX will facilitate the interaction between students and education institutes from all over the world including India, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Turkey, Lebanon and Ireland, among others. For more information, log on to: http://www.mygetex.com/.   

EIAST Discusses Economic Impact of Satellite Technologies at Regional Geospatial Conference

Successful Dubai Sat-2 launch presented at Middle East Geospatial Forum 2014
UAE, February 4, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) chaired the session on ‘Earth Observation Systems for Economic Development’ during the 2014 Middle East Geospatial Forum held in Dubai under the theme ‘GeoSmart Government’ and discusses upcoming trends in Earth Observation and how the discipline impacts global users. Eng. Omran Sharaf, Director of Image Processing and Analysis Department, and Eng. Hessa Almatroushi, an Associate Image Processing Engineer at the Institution, were among the session’s key expert speakers.
During the forum, EAIST explained the various social and economic benefits of earth observation satellites. It also recounted the successful launch of Dubai Sat-2, an electro-optical earth observation satellite system, from Russia late last year. EAIST officials explained that such developments are vital to expediting the development of the UAE’s space programs and related manpower.
Middle East Geospatial Forum 2014 was an ideal platform for emphasizing the relevance of earth observation technologies and discussing the necessary steps needed to further advance the field. It gave EIAST a great opportunity to discuss its own unique and impactful contributions to the expansion of the UAE’s space capabilities through ground-breaking projects such as Dubai Sat-2. We also had the chance to showcase the skills of our team, particularly our Emirati talents who reflect the growing interest among UAE Nationals to participate in space-related development,” said Eng. Omran Sharaf.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.

Expensive American Education is Just a Myth says Carian College Advisors

Australia is most expensive destination for overseas students with total annual cost of attendance exceeding USD $38,000, reveals HSBC study
Dubai, UAE , January 15th, 2014 – According to a recent study by HSBC, Australia is the most expensive destination for overseas students, with a total average cost of attendance exceeding USD $38,000 per year, followed by the US at USD $35,000. 
This study was highlighted by Carian College Advisors, UAE’s leading independent educational consultancy focusing exclusively on US admissions, as it announced a scholarship competition for high school students in the UAE.
Peter Davos, Managing Director of Carian College Advisors said: “Families in Dubai typically look to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore in their research for global universities for undergraduate study. While American universities continue to dominate the global rankings lists, many families choose to apply exclusively to other international universities, because they are perceived to be less expensive than their American counterparts. In many cases, this is not true, and, increasingly, pursuing an undergraduate education in the US is less costly than the same course of study in other international destinations.” 
“The wealthiest fifteen universities in the US have eliminated loans for students and have a strong commitment to funding all accepted students, regardless of ability to pay,” explains Davos. “There are always opportunities to secure scholarships to US universities – even for international students. For example, one of our current Dubai students just received a recurring  annual scholarship of AED 60,000 to pursue her studies at Loyola University of Chicago; should she choose to enroll, her family will save 240,000 AED in education costs.” emphasized Davos. 
Davos added: “At Harvard, for example, no undergraduate pays more than a nominal contribution if their parents earn less than $65,000 per annum and students whose families make between $65,000 and $150,000 USD per year pay only 10% of their income in tuition.  Smaller institutions also offer significant merit aid, as high achieving students at all American universities are always considered for merit based aid, regardless of family income. 87% of all freshman at American universities are receiving some sort of aid.”
Elaborating on the announced Carian’s scholarship competition for high school students in the UAE, Davos said: “We are pleased to offer UAE students an opportunity to receive scholarships for Carian’s services so that they are well informed about education facilities in US universities.  Not only will we help guide them through every step of the application process, we will help guide them towards universities that will offer them the most financial aid.”
To be eligible for the scholarships, students must be enrolled in the  final two years of secondary school and submit a 500-word essay about why they want to pursue an undergraduate education in the US.  The winner of the competition will receive a free Crimson Package from Carian College Advisors, which is the consultancy’s most premium level of service and features, unlimited meetings with Carian’s consultants and assistance with up to 14 applications. Carian College Advisors will also award three runners-up with their Ivy Package, which offers weekly meetings with consultants and assistance with up to 10 applications.
“The number of students in the UAE attending university in the United States is on the rise. The scholarship competition allows students considering the US for higher studies to critically analyze the benefits of US education and to begin preparing mentally for the application process. Furthermore, winners will have access to our talented team of consultants that will assist them in every step of the process.”
Students must submit their essays by email to infocarianet.com by April 1, 2014 and answer the following prompt: “Why do you want to pursue undergraduate study in the United States and why do you deserve this scholarship?” Carian College Advisors’s team of consultants is composed of Americans with Master degrees who have graduated from universities in the United States and have experience in US University Admissions. The consultants guide students through each step of the university and application process, adhering to the highest ethical standards in the industry.
Davos concluded: “American universities continue to offer both generous funding and a solid return on investment, based on a flexible curriculum and emphasis on holistic personal development.”