NASA to launch space education program for Arab youth

NASA has teamed up with the Dubai-based Arab Youth Venture Foundation to provide students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the chance to work on NASA missions, the US space agency said Monday.

Under the program, up to 12 engineering students from the UAE will each year join US students to work on a research project at the US space agency's Ames Research Center in California.

The cooperative venture, run under the auspices of NASA's Education Associates Program, could begin as early as next month, NASA said in a statement.

"There is much work to be done to promote and deliver inspired science, technology, education, aerospace and math education in the Arab world that is hands-on and conducted in real world settings," said Lisa-Renee LaBonte, chief executive officer of the Arab Youth Venture Foundation.

"This groundbreaking program, administered by NASA, will provide select UAE citizens the opportunity to work with NASA scientists, researchers, and engineers on actual NASA missions," she said.

The Arab students' activities, including housing and transportation, will be covered by sponsorship from corporations and government entities in the UAE.

The Education Associates Program (EAP) has since 1998 allowed students, post-doctoral researchers and faculty members the chance to take part in NASA projects and develop skills in science, technology, engineering, math and other academic disciplines.

More than 1,500 US students have worked as researchers on NASA missions through EAP.

Source: Turkish Press.
Link: http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=347314.