Sultan Al Neyadi, the Youth Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the first astronaut to carry out a long-term space mission for his country, visited the College of Engineering at Seoul National University on March 20, 2025, to explore potential cooperation in various fields related to space research.
The visit included notable figures such as Nora Al Matrooshi, the first female astronaut from the Arab world, Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, the UAE Ambassador to South Korea, Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director of the UAE Space Center, and key members of the Seoul National University community, including Kim Young-oh, the Dean of the College of Engineering, and Lee Kwan-joong, the Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
During the meeting, Dean Kim Young-oh presented the university's current space research initiatives, emphasizing the institution's commitment to advancing technology and education in this vital field. Kim proposed a proactive collaboration between Seoul National University and the UAE, aiming to forge strong ties beneficial to both parties.
Sultan Al Neyadi expressed optimism for the partnership, stating, "I hope to closely cooperate with Seoul National University in the fields of human resource training, CubeSat development, and space medicine." His remarks highlighted the UAE's desire to enhance its capabilities in these areas through mutual cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The discussions culminated in a consensus between the attending parties to formalize their cooperative efforts by drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially link the efforts of Seoul National University and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai. This agreement is set to be established in the near future and represents a significant step towards collaboration in space exploration and research.
Furthermore, following the formal discussions, a lecture was held that fostered interactive engagement among students, sparking a lively exchange of ideas and demonstrating their keen interest in aerospace topics. The session provided a platform for students to ask questions and reflect on the implications of international cooperation in the field of space exploration.
The meeting underscores the growing relationship between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in scientific and technological domains. As both nations seek to enhance their presence in space exploration, this partnership could lead to groundbreaking achievements that benefit not just their respective countries but the global community as well.
An important takeaway from the visit is the emphasis on collaboration in developing human resources, which aims at nurturing the next generation of scientists and experts who could contribute to the future of space missions and explorations. With shared technologies and research approaches, the collaborative efforts between UAE and South Korea promise to bolster innovation and scientific discovery.
As the world continues to pivot towards a future dominated by space exploration, educational institutions like Seoul National University and pioneering organizations such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in the UAE are poised to play crucial roles in shaping this new frontier, marking a new chapter in international scientific collaboration.
