UAE President meets Emirati NASA graduates in Washington

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Emirati astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla on Tuesday, who recently graduated from NASA’s astronaut training programme in Washington.

During a reception held at the UAE Embassy in Washington, His Highness noted that he is always happy to meet with young Emiratis studying at leading institutions around the world. He enquired about the students’ wellbeing and progress, learned about their fields of specialisation, and emphasised the leadership's commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure their academic success.

His Highness reiterated that the youth of the UAE are its real wealth, and that investment in young people today is the best way to shape the country’s future. The UAE, he explained, is embarking on a new phase of development that will require the next generation to be well qualified and capable of assuming responsibility.

The UAE President encouraged the students to stay determined and devote their best efforts to acquiring knowledge, focusing on fields that align with the nation’s development vision and ensuring they return home with the expertise and skills needed to benefit both themselves and their country.

His Highness noted that the world is advancing at an unprecedented pace, especially in the field of advanced technology. Those who possess technological expertise today, particularly artificial intelligence, hold both influence and wealth, as the wealth of the future lies in knowledge and know-how.

He further emphasised that, through their efforts in the US, the students have a unique opportunity to showcase the UAE’s progress and achievements. His Highness explained that the students should consider themselves ambassadors for their country, reflecting its values, principles, and the character of its people in everything they do.

Emirati astronauts Mohammad Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi expressed their pride in meeting His Highness, reaffirming their determination to continue advancing the UAE’s name in space exploration as a way of showing their gratitude for the nation’s support.