THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 04

Recognising HM King’s key role in Why space science is reshaping Middle East landscape important to society NSSA holds workshop to discuss its applications for progress and development

DR YASSER A GOMAA For the teaching staff UNIVERSITY OF BAHRAIN at• Nasser Vocational Training Center (NVTC) n recognition of his effective role in promoting global KNOW WHAT Ipeace and prosperity, authentic faithful charisma over the top leadership, and vision for the Kingdom of TDT |Manama Bahrain to emergence as a global power, His Majesty The workshop was held King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was conferred the “Le- pace science not only makes within the framework gion of Merit” (LOM), Degree Chief , by US us look outwards from our of the NSSA’s endeav- President Donald Trump on 18 January. Splanet, to the stars and be- ours to spread aware- The LOM is the highest military of the US yond but it drives innovation and Armed Forces that is given to uniformed US military leads to progress and economic ness on the importance service members, to military and political figures, or to development. of space science and its government heads of other countries who have made It brings many technological and applications among all especially outstanding meritorious contributions to scientific advances that benefit the segments and institu- world peace, or to cultural or other significant public society in areas including health This technology inspires future generations of scientists and engineers tions of the society. endeavours. and medicine, transportation, The LOM is a recognition It is an public safety, consumer goods, cussed during a technical work- applications among all segments of His Majesty’s unfaltering appreciation energy and environment, infor- shop organised by the National and institutions of the society. this workshop is only a little part leadership under which the mation technology, and industrial Space Science Agency (NSSA) for This specialised workshop in- of what we have learned and Kingdom of Bahrain has of his splendid productivity. the teaching staff at Nasser Vo - troduced space science to the staff gained from the knowledge and advanced a deep and an vision and The importance of space science cational Training Center (NVTC). responsible for preparing educa- experiences from the training pro- enduring partnership with stoutheartedness and technology for the attainment It was held within the frame- tional and training curricula for grammes and space missions in many countries all over the that have of sustainable development and work of the NSSA’s endeavours the center’s students. which we participated during the world across various do- the need to strengthen its frame- to spread awareness on the im- It provided a general introduc- last period,” said Al Quraan. mains. positively work were among the issues dis- portance of space science and its tion to the authority’s role, objec- The NSSA has implemented a It is an appreciation of his reshaped the tives and strategic initiatives. series of competitions, courses splendid vision and stout- landscape of the It included a detailed explana- and workshops for schools and the heartedness that have pos- Gulf region and tion of the importance of micro Gifted Care Center in cooperation itively reshaped the land- satellites and their design meth- with the Ministry of Education scape of the Gulf region and the Middle East, ods, in addition to an explana - and a number of higher education the Middle East, leading to leading to a new tion of the basic remote sensing institutions in coordination with a new era of security and era of security technology, and the importance of the Higher Education Council. prosperity for the Kingdom and prosperity its applications in raising and im- The authority is also in the and the world. proving the quality of human life. process of implementing more Moreover, it is an ac - for the Kingdom The course was conducted by courses, activities and lectures knowledgment of his posi- and the world. space engineers Ali Al Quraan and for school and university students tive impact on the political Moreover, it is an Ashraf Khater, aerospace engi- this year. scene in the Middle East acknowledgment neer Aisha Al Haram and satellite The NSSA was established by and the effective role that of his positive imagery technical analyst Aisha Royal Decree 11/2014, with a vision he has played in supporting Al Hajri. “to promote Bahrain to a position regional and international impact on the “The authority is keen to spread of international prominence in the stability. political scene in awareness on the importance of field of space science for the pur- It is an avowal of his suc- the Middle East space science and its applications, pose of achieving comprehensive cess to establish friendly and the effective Space science can improve the quality of human life and the information presented in and sustainable development”. relations and strategic sol- id partnership with many role that he countries all over the world, has played in and his unprecedented supporting Batoul tops TIMSS Shaikh Nasser lauds NSSA continuing Parliament courage in supporting the regional and vision of peace that has mathematics and rejects bill started a new era of eco- international efforts to develop space science nomic and security coop- stability. science tests raising candidacy eration in the Middle East, endeavouring to harness TDT | Manama fee to BD400 the tremendous potential of the unique strengths of Bahrain and its people to pro- he student Zainab Pre- TDT | Manama vide global leadership for the benefit of entire humanity. Tparatory School for The LOM is not the first award that His Majesty has Girls’ Batoul Sayed Has - he House of Repre - received. He has received numerous honours and dec- san Muhammad Alawi has Tsentatives rejected a orations from many countries, such as the of the topped the international bill submitted by the Shura Star of Jordan, Moroccan Order of Sovereignty, Iraqi tests for mathematics and Council that aims to increase Order of the Two Rivers, Jordanian Supreme Order of science in the last TIMSS the amount of candidacy fee the Renaissance, Egyptian Order of the Republic, Order 2019. The meeting in progress for parliamentary elections of King Abdulaziz, Star of the Republic of Indonesia, Batoul scored an average from BD200 to BD400. the Republic of Mauritania, UK Order of 750.6 in the two subjects TDT | Manama gress and efforts to enhance coop- The deputies also unan- of Saint Michael and Saint George, Order of the Grand for the eighth grade (second eration with various countries to imously agreed to reject a Conqueror of Libya, Malaysian Order of the Crown of preparatory) among all pub- ational Security Advisor His upgrade the space science sector consultative bill amending the Realm, Order of Zayed, Royal College of Surgeons lic and private schools, well NHighness Shaikh Nasser bin and achieve the goals set for the some provisions of the mu- in Ireland, Order of the Republic of the Yemen, above the global average of Hamad Al Khalifa received Trans- Kingdom’s further prosperity. nicipal councils election of the Order of the Dannenberg, Grand 500. portation and Communication Min- HH Shaikh Nasser was briefed system, which includes Cross of the National Order of Merit of France, Grand Her parent, Suad Abdul- ister and Chairman of the National on the major achievements accom- specifying the duration of Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic of Spain, lah Ali, was so proud of her Space Science Agency (NSSA) Kamal plished by the NSSA and on the steps candidacy for municipal the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei, Grand daughter’s achievement, bin Ahmed Mohammed and NSSA it has taken to enhance its perfor- elections to be three days, Cordon of the Order of the Republic of Tunisia, First saying it was “one of my Chief Executive Officer Moham- mances. and increasing the nomina- Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor, and Egyptian happiest moments.” med Ebrahim Al Aseeri. The minister commended HH tion fee from BD50 to BD200. of the Order of the Nile. Suad was unable to de- HH Shaikh Nasser commended Shaikh Nasser’s interest in pro - Representative Hamad Al Sincere congratulations to His Majesty on these scribe her great joy when NSSA for preparing research and moting the NSSA and stressed that Kooheji commented on the well-deserved honours and decorations, which clearly she received the good news studies and capacity building of Bahrain has now acquired distin- law submitted by the Shu- show how the international community places His of her daughter’s honorable Bahrainis to serve Bahrain’s orien- guished experiences and gained ra Council: “I am surprised Majesty and the Kingdom of Bahrain high. rate that exceeded expec- tations and enhance its position in aptitudes in space sciences. to see some members of They also reflect a recognition of his wise policy tations. space science. Al Aseeri said HH Shaikh Nasser’s the Shura Council look at and unremitting efforts to maintain an internationally She also gave credit to the He stressed the importance of support was a great motivation for its financial matters without respected diplomacy and humanitarian role. school curricula prepared continuing serious work to boost members to advance space science as a any consideration, and the In addition, they are a source of pride and praise by the Ministry of Educa- Bahrain’s capabilities in all areas, major priority for Bahrain and stressed elections are an important for the entire Bahrainis and residents alike. May Allah tion in government schools, including the space sector and re- that the NSSA has laid out a strategy to part of His Majesty’s reform bless His Majesty and offer him long life and power, and developed continuous- search development. boost its performance, enhance the project. HM the King and and maintain peace, security, prosperity and progress ly, for her daughter’s excel- HH Shaikh Nasser praised the skills of its personnel and deepen co- the democratic process are in the Kingdom of Bahrain. lent performance. NSSA plans, strategies, training pro- operation with other countries. greater than any amount.”