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Amb. Hazza Al Qahtani highlights UAE’s commitment to science and technology during Rwandan school visit

By IGIHE
On 15 June 2024 at 10:16

His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, emphasized the significance of science and technology in enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness in the 21st century during a visit to the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.

Speaking with students and teachers at the school, His Excellency highlighted that science and technology are at the center of the UAE’s commitment to key sectors such as renewable energy, the space industry, and Artificial Intelligence, all aimed at advancing the country’s economy.

“The UAE recognizes that enhancing its economy to an advanced stage requires accelerating work on localizing advanced technology, and investing in a base of national cadres possessing knowledge in the field of modern technology,” H.E. Al Qahtani said.

His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, addresses students and teachers at the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.

The ambassador told students that the UAE is a major player in the exploration of outer space, thanks to the UAE Space Agency, which was established in 2014, and the subsequent launch of the first Arab and Islamic orbiter to Mars. This mission, led by an Emirati team, embarked on a scientific exploration to the Red Planet.

“The UAE currently has the largest active space sector within the Gulf region and the Middle East. In 2019, Hazza Al Mansouri became the first Emirati astronaut to reach space,” he added.

Ambassador Al Qahtani also discussed that the UAE intends to significantly increase reliance on clean energy and reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2050.

“The UAE aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 70%, increase reliance on clean energy by 50%, and enhance energy consumption efficiency by approximately 40% by the middle of the 21st Century,” the ambassador noted, adding that the UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which has significantly contributed to the production of clean energy, is one of the world’s largest renewable projects based on an independent power producer model.

His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, with officials of the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.

Regarding Artificial Intelligence, the ambassador explained that the UAE has made several significant advances, including the launching of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy in October 2017 and the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in October 2019. The university is the first of its kind globally in specialized postgraduate studies in AI research.

He also highlighted the collaborations between the Rwanda Space Agency and the UAE Space Agency as a demonstration of the UAE’s commitment to science and technology development. The two agencies signed an MoU to establish collaboration frameworks in civil space activities, fostering research and development, space technologies, geospatial data sharing, and initiating joint space sector projects on the sidelines of COP28 last year.

His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, with students of the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.

Ambassador AlQahtani stressed that the progress made by the UAE in the sectors of renewable energy, Artificial Intelligence, and space exploration began with investing in science education within schools and the development of institutions of research.
The ambassador’s talk aimed to inspire students at the school to embrace science to solve emerging challenges in the world.

The Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center is among the schools being supported by the UAE. Established in 1985, the school’s enrollment has increased from 80 to 734 students in 2024, both at the ordinary and advanced levels.

His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, during a presentation by a student at the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.
His Excellency Hazza Al Qahtani, the UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, addresses students and teachers at the Secondary School for Sciences at the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali.

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