Published: 31st July 2026 19:28 (UTC)

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is pleased to announce the establishment of the OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub. The new Center will support the mission of the Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) by promoting astronomy and space education, teacher training, and regional cooperation throughout the Arab world and beyond.

The OAE Center UAE becomes part of a growing international network of OAE Centers and Nodes dedicated to advancing astronomy education worldwide. Through its strategic location and strong educational and scientific infrastructure, the Center is expected to play an important role in expanding access to high-quality astronomy education resources across Arabic-speaking communities.

Prof. Hamid M. K. Al-Naimiy, Advisor to the President of the University of Sharjah and director of SSAH and President of Arab Union of Astronomy and Space Sciences, who will serve as Manager of the OAE Center UAE, says:  “The establishment of the OAE Center UAE at the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub marks an important milestone in our commitment to advancing astronomy education throughout the Arab region. We are proud to join the global OAE network and look forward to working closely with our international colleagues to empower educators, inspire students, and expand access to high-quality astronomy education in Arabic and beyond. This partnership reflects our shared vision of using astronomy as a gateway to scientific literacy, innovation, and international cooperation.”.

The Center will be based at the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) at the University of Sharjah, home 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.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, praised the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub for signing a cooperation agreement with the International Astronomical Union ((IAU) in Sharjah and says:  “the establishment of the centre represents a significant scientific milestone and a new step in strengthening the UAE and Sharjah’s position in supporting science and knowledge, while reinforcing their role in international scientific and educational initiatives.”.

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.

The Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony took place on 24 June 2026 during an online meeting attended by the Center manager, Prof. Hamid M. K. Al-Naimiy, Advisor to the President of the University of Sharjah and director of SSAH and accompanied by Prof. Mashhoor Al-Wardat Director of Academic Affairs Department at SSAH, Mr. Ali Ahmed Bamatraf, director of the Support Services Department at SSAH, and several staff members of SSAH, together with the IAU General Secretary, Prof. Diana Worrall, OAE Director, Dr. Markus Pössel and OAE Deputy Director Dr. Carolin Liefke.

IAU General Secretary Prof. Diana Worrall says:  “The new Centre in Sharjah will focus particularly on the IAU-OAE's Teacher Training Programme, which provides seed money to support teaching in local languages and cultures across the globe. This new collaboration is particularly welcome in extending the reach to the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on Arab-language resources.”.

Dr. Markus Pössel, Director of the OAE, says:  “Promoting the use of astronomy for teaching science at the level of primary and secondary schools is a task of truly cosmic proportions – but at the same time, in the world we live in, science literacy is more important than ever. We can only succeed when we make a joint effort, with strong partners, and we warmly welcome the OAE Center UAE at Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub to our network.”.

Founded by the IAU in 2019, the IAU’s Office of Astronomy for Education is hosted by the Haus der Astronomie and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. The OAE works with a worldwide network of partners, including National Astronomy Education Coordinators, OAE Centers, and OAE Nodes. Its mission is to promote the use of astronomy in primary and secondary education, with the aim of fostering education in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering mathematics) worldwide.

The IAU, the OAE, and the SSAH look forward to a productive partnership that will support educators, students, and astronomy education communities throughout the Arab world and beyond.

         

Contacts