UAE president meets Emirati astronauts, NASA graduates during Washington visit

As part of his official visit to the U.S., UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Emirati students studying at local universities. He also met astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla, who recently graduated from NASA’s astronaut training program.

During a reception at the UAE Embassy in Washington, Sheikh Mohamed expressed happiness in meeting the young Emiratis, inquiring about their wellbeing, progress and fields of specialization.

He emphasized pride in Emirati contributions to space exploration and the importance of training future experts in this area. He also highlighted the significance of technological expertise, particularly in artificial intelligence, as key to future wealth.

The President encouraged students to see themselves as ambassadors of the UAE, reflecting its values while engaging with their host cultures. He reiterated that the youth are the UAE’s greatest asset and that investing in them is vital for the country's future. He urged them to focus on knowledge in alignment with the nation’s development vision.

Attendees included Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S.; and several other senior officials.