New Space Education Programmes in Saudi Arabia to Boost Sector

New Space Education Programmes in Saudi Arabia to Boost Sector

Saudi Arabia is giving a boost to space education to help the sector grow further.

Several scholarship and graduate training programmes are being launched to increase the number of youth pursuing careers in space.

The efforts come only a few months after the kingdom sent two astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni, to the International Space Station for an eight-day mission.

Serco, a public service company, has launched a Saudi Space Division, which is currently accepting applications for its new Graduate Space Programme.

Several graduates will be recruited by October and will be given training opportunities at leading space facilities in Europe.

“Developing talent in KSA within a new, burgeoning sector for the region means there will be major investment into the development of national talent to establish in-country skills and capabilities, and to ensure that the there is a flow of potential recruits into the industry both now and for many years to come,” Amar Vora, head of space at Serco Middle East.

The participants will be trained in satellite operations, so they can work on future missions being led by Saudi Arabia.

Once the graduates return from Europe, they will receive theoretical classes, on-the-job training, shadowing and mentoring opportunities, in hopes that they would