NEXTGEN LEADERS

The aerospace and space industries thrive on talent. Organisations across the UAE and the wider world are looking for the brightest and best STEM students and graduates to drive the future of their aerospace, space, and satellite businesses. NextGen Leaders was created to support the industry discover the top talent to work in their businesses. 

Inspiring The Next Generation

NextGen Leaders is an ongoing programme that enables stakeholders to help develop talent in the UAE, and acts as a platform to highlight the best young people to employers enabling them to build their careers.Objectives:

  • Inspire and bring awareness of opportunities in the aerospace, defence, aviation and space industries.
  • Promote the importance of STEM education and contribute to nationwide efforts of workforce Emiratisation.
  • Encourage higher education bodies to produce academic papers on aerospace and space topics.
  • Amplify the voices of young people and provide a platform for active participation.
  • Allow industry to play a part in developing local talent.

Contact Us to Attend

Preparing The Workforce Of Tomorrow

A dedicated programme across all 3 days of the event

  • NextGen Leaders Sessions – showcasing rising stars before industry
  • Knowledge Hub – enhancing knowledge and skills of young talent through workshops and challenges
  • Mentorship Journey – guidance and advice on career development through direct interaction with industry leaders
  • Universities poster sessions – provide the platform to shine light on the capacity building work taking place in the UAE and the region
  • STEM Commitment – industry showcasing capacity building programmes and engaging directly with bright students

Discover More

The Global Aerospace Summit offers an extensive programme of strategic content sessions, with interactive problem-solving content. The one-to-one networking opportunities will enable you to build relationships and enhance your reputation in the aerospace industry.

  • Watch videos from our virtual edition in 2020.

NextGen Sessions: Providing A Platform For Rising Stars And Talent

The new face of manufacturing

Date: 26th of May
Duration: 13:40 to 14:20 
Location: Main Conference

Is the aerospace industry prepared to attract talent more effectively? Is a promotional boost of aerospace and defence product development and manufacturing the answer to it? Would virtual prototyping, AI, 3D printing and robotics, as the new image of manufacturing processes brought about by technological advances, do the trick?

Panelists:

Hala Al-Zargani, Project Manager, Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation and Security Solutions
Noura Al Braiki, Production Manager, Strata Manufacturing
Fatema Ali Al Hajri, EVP - Products & Solutions Engineering, Technical, Yahsat
Shatha Khamis, Industrial Engineer, SAMI
Amina Abdulrahman, Supplier Quality Specialist – Middle East, Boeing

Moderator:

Prof. Loredana Santo, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

Skills shortages

Date & time: 26th of May
Duration: 14:20 to 15:00 
Location: Main Conference

Technology is often highlighted by industry leadership as the future and the smart choice for upcoming talent. Associated skills related to machine learning, cyber, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data science and hypersonics have also been identified as skills in high demand. How are industry and academia ensuring sufficient technical talent is generated? How is the government involved in that process?

Panelists:

Michael Naber, Founder and CEO, Simerse
Sumaya Al Hajery, AI and Space Economic Regulation Expert
Dr. Ernesto Damiani, Senior Director of Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute and Director of the Center for Cyber Physical Systems (C2PS), Khalifa University
Cody James, Chief Executive Office, Open X
Irit Fried, Export Licenses, Organizational process & Education Manager, IAI
Noora Al Shehhi, Head of Employee Relations, MBRSC

Moderator:

Susanna Mason, Senior Aerospace and Defence Advisor, Roland Berger

NextGen Lightning Talks: Diversity & Inclusion: vision from the next generation

Date: 26th Of May
Time: 11:20
Location: Main Conference

Davide Petrillo, Executive Director, Space Generation Advisory Council

NextGen Lightning talks: Sustainability through a strategy lens: for NextGen leaders

Date: 25th of May
Time: 14:20
Location: Main Conference

Wedad Almarzooqi, Senior Manager of Corporate Strategy, Etihad

NextGen Lightning talks: Data in AI: the Critical Foundation of AI Development

Date & Time: 24th of May
Time: 17:15
Location: Main Conference

Michael Naber, Founder & CEO, Simerse

NextGen Lightning talks: Computational Memories: Moving into the Smart Future

Date: 25th of May
Time: 12:40
Location: Main Conference

Dr. Yasmin Halawani, Postdoctoral Fellow at the System-on-Chip Lab, Khalifa University
2021 MIT Technology Review Arabia Innovators Under 35

NextGen Lightning talks: Accelerating the deployment of 4IR technologies in Aviation MRO: What is the success formula?

Date: 25th of May
Time: 16:35
Location: Main Conference

Ali AlOlama, Quality Engineer, Sanad

Speed mentoring sponsored by Safran

Date & Time: 25th of May 2022 - 15:00 
Location: Break-out room
Duration: 1.5 hrs

Mentorship is valued and sought after by young people. NextGen Leaders, in partnership with the Space Generation Advisory Council, and sponsored by Safran, is providing the platform for bringing industry leaders and young talent together. Students and young professionals will receive practical guidance and tips on how to kick start or advance their careers. 

Mentors:

Patrick Natali, General Delegate Middle East, Safran
Anna-Karin Rosen, Managing Director, Saab
Mike Gold, Executive Vice President for Civil Space and External Affairs, Redwire
Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director - Portfolio Emiratization Human Capital, Mubadala Investment Company
Jassim Al Marzooqi, Head of HR, Strata Manufacturing

Moderator:

Davide Petrillo, Executive Director, Space Generation Advisory Council

NextGen Industry Leaders Panel & Networking in collaboration with AmCham

Date: 26th of May
Time: 14:10 – 15:40
Location: Breakout room

The benefits of working in the aerospace industry. What are the opportunities for young people?

Panellists:

Courtney Sader, General Counsel, Raytheon Emirates Ltd. and Raytheon Saudi Arabia
Amal Osman, Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Customer & Account Management, Collins Aerospace
Mark F. Supko, Vice President, International Business Development, BAE Systems
John Nicholson, Chief Executive - Middle East, Lockheed Martin Global Inc.
Kuljit S. Ghata Aura, President, Middle East Turkey and Africa, Boeing International Corporation
Steve Krein, Vice President Civil & Commercial Space, Northrop Grumman

Moderator:

Kim Schofield, Managing Director, O2K Ltd.

Knowledge enhancement: a workshop provided by Khalifa University

Date: 26th of May 2022
Time & duration: 12:00 – 13:30
Location: Break-out room

Introduction to CubeSat Design and Analysis

  • Introduction - Unpacking the power of CubeSats in the new Space Age
  • CubeSat orbital analysis
  • Satellite tracking and signal reception
  • Mechanical aspects in designing a CubeSat
  • Onboard Computer and Concept of Operations
  • CubeSat thermal analysis and power budget calculations

Workshop facilitators:

Dr. Firas Jarrar, Manager, Yahsat Space Lab; Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University
Panagiotis Dimitropoulos, Research Engineer at Yahsat Space Lab, Khalifa University
Basel AlTawil, Research Engineer at Yahsat Space Lab, Khalifa University
Aaliya Khan, Research Engineer at Yahsat Space Lab, Khalifa University

University displays

Selected universities and student teams will display relevant industry projects over the three days of the event.

Participating universities:

  • Khalifa University
  • AD University
  • HCT
  • Amity University Dubai
  • University of Sharjah/ Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology