KAIST Alumni Association to Present 'Proud Overseas Alumni Award' on the 12th
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The key figures behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s successful Mars exploration, surpassing South Korea, received the prestigious Overseas Alumni Award from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
The KAIST Alumni Association announced the list of recipients for this year's ‘KAIST Proud Alumni Award and Overseas Alumni Award’ on the 12th. Among them, the Overseas Alumni Award recipients stood out. The association selected three individuals from the UAE: Omran Sharaf (Master’s degree, Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, Class of 2013), Amer Al Sayegh (Master’s degree, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Class of 2013), and Mohamed Al Harmi (Master’s degree, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Class of 2013).
The 2023 Proud Overseas Alumni Awardees selected by the KAIST Alumni Association. From the left, Omran Sharaf, Deputy Minister of Advanced Science and Technology, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Amer Al Sayeh, Director General of Space Operations, MBRSC; Mohamed Al Harmi, Director General of Administration, MBRSC. [Photo by KAIST]
Their commonality is that they have led the UAE’s space development and advanced science and technology progress, including the successful Mars exploration in 2021. Omran Sharaf currently serves as the Deputy Minister for Advanced Science and Technology at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amer Al Sayegh and Mohamed Al Harmi hold the positions of Director General of Space Programs and Director General of Administration, respectively, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
They received technology transfer for about ten years starting in 2006 from Satrec Initiative, South Korea’s first satellite system export company and a KAIST alumni-founded company, while simultaneously enrolling at KAIST to pursue their studies. After returning to their home country, they successfully developed the Mars probe ‘Amal’ (meaning ‘Hope’ in Arabic), the first Arab and the world’s fifth Mars orbiter, as well as the UAE’s first independently developed Earth observation satellite, ‘KhalifaSat’.
Although the UAE had lagged behind South Korea in space development, their return marked a turning point, accelerating efforts and enabling the UAE to launch the Mars orbiter Amal ahead of South Korea. Amal successfully entered Mars orbit on February 10, 2021, and is currently performing its mission.
An official from the Alumni Association stated, “We selected them as proud overseas alumni in recognition of their pioneering leadership in not only Mars exploration and Earth observation satellite development but also in advancing diverse space industry strategies such as lunar exploration, asteroid exploration, and Mars habitation plans.”
The number of international graduates from KAIST exceeded 1,700 as of last year. They are actively working as leaders in various fields including science and technology, politics, and industry upon returning to their home countries.
In the domestic graduates category, four individuals were selected: Choi Ju-seon, CEO of Samsung Display; Jo Jeong-gu, CEO of Green Power; Park Jong-seung, Director of the Agency for Defense Development; and Cho Kyung-hyun, Professor at New York University.
Meanwhile, KAIST has been awarding alumni who have contributed to national and social development or have brought honor to their alma mater through outstanding academic achievements and social service since 1992. This year marks the first time the award was given to overseas alumni.
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