The OAE's global network expands to include a new OAE Center in the UAE
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About
The Center will be based at the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) at the University of Sharjah, one of the leading astronomy and space science institutions in the region. Through its observatories, planetarium, research laboratories, and educational facilities, SSAH has established itself as an important hub for astronomy research, education, and public engagement.
A major focus of the OAE Center UAE will be supporting astronomy education throughout the Arab region. Planned activities include teacher professional development programmes, Regional Schools for Astronomy Education, the translation and adaptation of educational resources into Arabic, and the development of new astronomy education materials tailored to regional needs. The Center will also work closely with National Astronomy Education Coordinators (NAECs), educators, and institutions across the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen regional collaboration and exchange of expertise.
In addition, the OAE Center UAE will contribute to global OAE projects, in particular the OAE Teacher Training Program, while simultaneously developing initiatives that address regional opportunities. By combining international collaboration with local expertise, the Center aims to increase access to astronomy education and support the use of astronomy as a gateway to science learning.
You can contact the OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub by emailing OAE_UAE_CenteratSharjah.ac.ae
Staff list
Hamid Al Naimiy M.K.
Manager, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Chair, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates
Based at Professor and Director at University of Sharjah/UAE
alnaimiyatsharjah.ac.ae
Professor Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy is a renowned scientist and researcher in the fields of astronomy and space sciences and a prominent leader in education. He is the Advisor to the president of the University of Sharjah (UOS), Director General and Founder of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), and President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS). He received a BSc in Physics from the University of Baghdad, followed by an MS in Astronomy and a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Manchester in the U.K. He is the founder of seven (7) observatories and space centers in various countries, such as Iraq, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, including SAASST, which he founded in 2015. In addition to his current positions, he has held numerous senior-level administrative positions, such as Chancellor of UOS (January 2014-May 2025), Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science at Al al-Bayt University (IASS) in Jordan, and Chairman of the Physics Department at UAE University (UAEU).
He is widely recognized on a global scale for his significant contributions to the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences. He has imparted extensive knowledge by teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and supervising over 50 MSc and PhD theses. He has conducted groundbreaking research into the correlation between Quranic verses and scientific discoveries in the fields of astronomy and space sciences. He has authored more than 45 books in the fields of astronomy, space sciences, and education, published over 1000 scientific articles in newspapers and magazines, and published more than 130 papers in referred journals. He has served as the chief/associate editor for over 8 journals and edited numerous books. Additionally, he has delivered keynote speeches at more than 300 national and international conferences, symposia, and workshops, including the esteemed
Manager, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Chair, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates
Based at Professor and Director at University of Sharjah/UAE
alnaimiyatsharjah.ac.ae
Professor Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy is a renowned scientist and researcher in the fields of astronomy and space sciences and a prominent leader in education. He is the Advisor to the president of the University of Sharjah (UOS), Director General and Founder of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), and President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS). He received a BSc in Physics from the University of Baghdad, followed by an MS in Astronomy and a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Manchester in the U.K. He is the founder of seven (7) observatories and space centers in various countries, such as Iraq, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, including SAASST, which he founded in 2015. In addition to his current positions, he has held numerous senior-level administrative positions, such as Chancellor of UOS (January 2014-May 2025), Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science at Al al-Bayt University (IASS) in Jordan, and Chairman of the Physics Department at UAE University (UAEU).
He is widely recognized on a global scale for his significant contributions to the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences. He has imparted extensive knowledge by teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and supervising over 50 MSc and PhD theses. He has conducted groundbreaking research into the correlation between Quranic verses and scientific discoveries in the fields of astronomy and space sciences. He has authored more than 45 books in the fields of astronomy, space sciences, and education, published over 1000 scientific articles in newspapers and magazines, and published more than 130 papers in referred journals. He has served as the chief/associate editor for over 8 journals and edited numerous books. Additionally, he has delivered keynote speeches at more than 300 national and international conferences, symposia, and workshops, including the esteemed
Mashhoor Al-Wardat
Deputy Manager, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Contact Person, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates ; Team Member, NAEC Team - Jordan
Based at University of Sharjah
mwardatataabu.edu.jo
Mashhoor Ahmad Salameh Al-Wardat
Professor of Astrophysics
Department of Applied Physics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Director of the Academic Affairs Department at Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST)
Coordinator of the Ph.D. program in Space Science and Technology
Coordinator of the M.Sc. program in Astronomy and Space Sciences
An active member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) since 2018, Prof. Al-Wardat serves as the Deputy Chair of the Arab Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and is the Financial Secretary of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS).
Professor Al-Wardat has published more than seventy articles in esteemed scientific journals, which can be accessed through the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/). He has developed a novel methodology for the analysis of stellar systems and variable stars, termed Al-Wardat’s Method for Analyzing Stellar Systems and Variable Stars, which is available online upon obtaining a password. Furthermore, he has forged substantial international collaborations and is presently engaged in research that utilizes data from the Gaia and TESS Space Telescopes. His contributions to international relations and scientific cooperation are highly commendable.
He published his book, “Stellar Astrophysics,” in Arabic in 2023 through the peer-reviewed publishing system at the University of Sharjah. Prof. Al-Wardat has a particular interest in the history of astronomy in Islam and the Arab world.
Research Interests:
- Spectrophotometry of stars
- Interferometry of binary and multiple star systems
- Analysis of stellar systems and variable stars
- Light curves of eclipsing binary stars
- Astronomical site selection and evaluation
- History of astronomy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1422-211X
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4mOv8LwAAAAJ&hl=en
Deputy Manager, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Contact Person, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates ; Team Member, NAEC Team - Jordan
Based at University of Sharjah
mwardatataabu.edu.jo
Mashhoor Ahmad Salameh Al-Wardat
Professor of Astrophysics
Department of Applied Physics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Director of the Academic Affairs Department at Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST)
Coordinator of the Ph.D. program in Space Science and Technology
Coordinator of the M.Sc. program in Astronomy and Space Sciences
An active member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) since 2018, Prof. Al-Wardat serves as the Deputy Chair of the Arab Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and is the Financial Secretary of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS).
Professor Al-Wardat has published more than seventy articles in esteemed scientific journals, which can be accessed through the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/). He has developed a novel methodology for the analysis of stellar systems and variable stars, termed Al-Wardat’s Method for Analyzing Stellar Systems and Variable Stars, which is available online upon obtaining a password. Furthermore, he has forged substantial international collaborations and is presently engaged in research that utilizes data from the Gaia and TESS Space Telescopes. His contributions to international relations and scientific cooperation are highly commendable.
He published his book, “Stellar Astrophysics,” in Arabic in 2023 through the peer-reviewed publishing system at the University of Sharjah. Prof. Al-Wardat has a particular interest in the history of astronomy in Islam and the Arab world.
Research Interests:
- Spectrophotometry of stars
- Interferometry of binary and multiple star systems
- Analysis of stellar systems and variable stars
- Light curves of eclipsing binary stars
- Astronomical site selection and evaluation
- History of astronomy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1422-211X
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4mOv8LwAAAAJ&hl=en
Fatima Alkhateri
Staff, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Member, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates
Based at Sr. Scientific Guide
falkhateriatsharjah.ac.ae
I am the first Emirati female to receive a master’s degree in astronomy and space sciences in the UAE from University of Sharjah, with a bachelor’s degree in physics from UAE University. I conduct research in high energy Astrophysics focusing on X-Ray Binary stars. I conduct Astronomy and space sciences-related studies and researches to contribute to the education sector of my country. I’m affiliated with the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), which is a part of the University of Sharjah, where I hold a professional position. Additionally, I’m a member of the Arab Planetarium Society and serve on the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society.
With the experience of being a scientific guide at a space and astronomy academy, I bring a wealth of experience in both formal and informal education. My primary role involves hosting students and running engaging planetarium shows, which requires simplifying complex astronomical concepts for diverse audiences. The position has also enabled me to design educational activities including camps and interactive educational programs for all levels of school and university students where fostering interest in science through clarity and engagement is crucial.
Staff, OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub ; Team Member, NAEC Team - The United Arab Emirates
Based at Sr. Scientific Guide
falkhateriatsharjah.ac.ae
I am the first Emirati female to receive a master’s degree in astronomy and space sciences in the UAE from University of Sharjah, with a bachelor’s degree in physics from UAE University. I conduct research in high energy Astrophysics focusing on X-Ray Binary stars. I conduct Astronomy and space sciences-related studies and researches to contribute to the education sector of my country. I’m affiliated with the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), which is a part of the University of Sharjah, where I hold a professional position. Additionally, I’m a member of the Arab Planetarium Society and serve on the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society.
With the experience of being a scientific guide at a space and astronomy academy, I bring a wealth of experience in both formal and informal education. My primary role involves hosting students and running engaging planetarium shows, which requires simplifying complex astronomical concepts for diverse audiences. The position has also enabled me to design educational activities including camps and interactive educational programs for all levels of school and university students where fostering interest in science through clarity and engagement is crucial.
Latest OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space & Astronomy Hub News
The Office of Astronomy for Education is hosted by the Haus der Astronomie on the campus of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg. The Office of Astronomy for Education is an office of the International Astronomical Union, with substantial funding from the Klaus Tschira Foundation and the Carl Zeiss Foundation. The Shaw-IAU Workshops on Astronomy for Education are funded by the Shaw Prize Foundation.
