The first UAE–Italy Bilateral Forum on Space Sciences and Astronomy is set to open next Monday, February 9, at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), part of the University of Sharjah. Organized by the academy in collaboration with Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), the three-day forum will explore the latest scientific progress in the fields of space sciences and astronomy, with a particular focus on advancing radio astronomy in infrastructure, scientific operations, and capacity building.

The event will serve as a scientific platform bringing together a distinguished group of scientists, researchers, students, and enthusiasts from academic and technical institutions. It aims to foster the exchange of expertise and knowledge, explore opportunities for collaboration, and build lasting research partnerships, while also connecting participants with leading international experts in the field.

Discussions throughout the forum will cover key scientific themes, most notably the exchange of advanced scientific and technical knowledge between Emirati and Italian specialists in space and astronomical sciences. Particular emphasis will be placed on collaboration in radio astronomy and on strengthening academic and institutional ties between educational and research bodies in both countries. The sessions will also aim to nurture national talent and develop skills by engaging researchers, engineers, and students in hands-on scientific and technical workshops, transferring real-world experience in designing, operating, and analyzing data from radio astronomical observation systems.