The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) participated in the First Online International Conference on "Pioneering Apprenticeship Program in the UAE," organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) on Mar. 09, 2023.

During this one-day conference, Prof. Ilias Fernini, SAASST Director of the Space Sciences Department, was invited as a keynote speaker. Prof. Ilias showcased the different SAASST departments and the open-door students' policy, allowing students from all the UAE academic institutions to spend 8-12 weeks as part of their internship programs. This policy has permitted SAASST to train hundreds of students during the past five years. Several of these trainees became full-time SAASST researchers.

This HCT apprenticeship conference was conducted online and gathered prominent industrial partners and academicians to contribute to the critical knowledge-sharing event through presentations. Presenters were able to share their expertise and discuss the apprenticeship framework, opportunities, and challenges in UAE. The learning outcomes of this first conference were around:

Understand the competencies and credential values via the apprentice's program in UAE
Explore apprentices program in UAE: Towards a possible suggested framework and structure
Explore opportunities towards a successful quality Apprenticeship program from the industry perspective