Amideast/UAE, Boeing and the U.S. Mission to the UAE are proud to mark the graduation of 48 students who have successfully completed the STEM Ambassadors program in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The program, which was launched in January 2023, culminated in a graduation ceremony held on May 19, 2023 in Dubai.
The STEM Ambassadors Program, designed and managed by Amideast/UAE with support from Boeing, aimed to inspire private school students aged 14-18 to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers in the future. Throughout the program, students participated in hands-on activities with a focus on aviation, space and sustainability, sparking their curiosity and honing their critical thinking skills. The highlight of the program was a rocket-building challenge and the chance to design and print their own modules using 3D printers in the STEM Lab at Amideast's center in Dubai.
Fatima Aljasmi, a graduate of the STEM Ambassadors program, said: “Reflecting on my time in the STEM Ambassadors program, I am grateful and excited. It was not only educational but also ignited my passion to contribute to a sustainable future in aviation and beyond. I am inspired to continue learning and advocate for sustainability in all aspects of life.”
Sara El Dallal, Amideast/UAE country director, emphasized: “The success of the STEM Ambassadors program highlights the significance of STEM education and the importance of encouraging and supporting students' pursuit of related careers. It is also a testament to the power of collaboration between industry leaders and educational institutions in inspiring and empowering the youth especially with the UAE’s focus on STEM and sustainability. We are proud of how far the students have come since the start of the program and the creativity that they have demonstrated.”
Throughout the program, the students met with speakers from various organizations and universities, including Boeing, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Aspen Aerogel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
"Our partnership with Amideast exemplifies our commitment to empowering young people and promoting innovation and sustainability," said Kuljit Ghata-Aura, Boeing's president for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. "We are delighted to support the STEM Ambassadors program, which encourages students to think outside the box and develop valuable skills that they can apply in their future careers."
“The U.S. Mission to the UAE is proud to support strong U.S.-UAE partnerships such as the Amideast/UAE and Boeing STEM Ambassadors program. It is incredibly inspiring to see so many young talented UAE students and innovators work to build a better future through pursuing careers that link sustainability with STEM research. We were impressed with the STEM Ambassador’s presentations and projects to promote innovations such as sustainable aviation fuel. The graduation of the STEM Ambassadors program is timely as UAE promotes the Year of Sustainability in preparations for COP28,“ added Daleya Uddin, head of public affairs and outreach at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai.
