Arab Health sends Emirati students to NASA to mark 50th anniversary

Arab Health, the Middle East’s largest healthcare event and congress, has partnered with the Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship to send five Emirati students on a 10-day trip to the US. The trip will culminate in a week-long immersion at NASA’s US Space Camp and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The scholarship, named in honour of Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden, provides students with a passion for space, science, and exploration with the opportunity to participate in an immersive learning experience. It helps them build skills and gain hands-on experience in a diverse, international setting.

At the forefront of the partnership is Kallman Worldwide, organisers of the USA Partnership Pavillion at Arab Health 2025, who have been participating since 1995 and will this year welcome more than 200 companies from the US healthcare industry to reveal the latest innovations in the sector.

“In the past 50 years, Arab Health has been at the forefront of showcasing the latest innovations within the healthcare sector. The partnership allows us to nurture the next generation of UAE innovators, merging space exploration with healthcare advancements to inspire future breakthroughs,” said Sally Thompson, the group Event Director at Informa Markets.

“The theme of this year’s scholarship, ‘Health Sciences and Space Exploration: Pioneering Together for Humanity,’ aligns perfectly with the UAE’s ambitious space and healthcare agendas while underscoring our vision for the next 50 years.”

The scholarship offers a two-part experience, starting with an introduction to the aviation and aerospace industries in Washington and a week-long stay at NASA’s US Space Camp and Rocket Center.

The Emirati students will have the opportunity to attend the Advanced Space Academy and gain mentorship from legendary figures such as Brigadier General Charlie Duke, an Apollo 16 astronaut, and Colonel Mike Bloomfield.

To enter the competition, students aged 16 – 18 submitted a three-minute video addressing the theme ‘Health Sciences and Space Exploration: Pioneering Together for Humanity. ‘ The video discussed how students see space and medicine intersecting and the significance of this.

The winners will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, 29 January, the penultimate day of Arab Health 2025. Sponsors of the competition include AmCham Dubai, Arab Health, Kallman Foundation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and the US Space & Rocket Center Home of Space Camp.

Arab Health 2025 will be supported by various government entities, including the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Government of Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health, and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority.

Read: Arab Health’s landmark 50th edition officially opens today