First Satellite Workshop to Boost National Space Collaboration

17 Jun, 2025 |

Organised by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, the first Satellite Workshop was held on Sunday, 1 June 2025, bringing together participants from across Oman’s government and academic sectors to explore emerging opportunities in satellite technologies and space research. The workshop aimed to highlight SQU’s advancements in satellite development, demonstrate its current capabilities, and outline future directions for growth and collaboration in the field.

 

The event drew participants from five local academic institutions: the German University of Technology in Oman, National University of Science and Technology, Gulf College, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the Military Technological College, alongside representatives from SQU and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

 

The programme opened with a welcoming note by Dr. Ahmed bin Said Al-Mashari, Head of the Department. This was followed by a presentation from Eng. Adil bin Abdullah Al-Saadi from the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology, who shared insights into the ministry’s efforts to build and accelerate Oman’s space industry. Sayyid Dr. Samir bin Abdullah Al-Busaidi then gave an overview of space-related activities at SQU, including the development of a dedicated Space Engineering Laboratory.

 

Two technical presentations followed: “Satellite Subsystems” by Dr. Al-Busaidi and “Mission Design” by Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Mughal, both from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. These sessions laid the foundation for interactive, hands-on activities, including a mission design exercise led by Dr. Mughal and a laboratory session using CubeSat kits to simulate satellite-ground station communication, conducted by Eng. Abbas Teirab.

The workshop succeeded in fostering a network of academic stakeholders interested in contributing to Oman’s growing space ambitions. Participants welcomed the opportunity to share ideas, identify areas for cooperation, and discuss ways to integrate satellite technologies into both teaching and research.

 

As SQU continues to expand its role in advancing space sciences, this inaugural workshop marks a significant step towards building national capacity and academic collaboration in the satellite domain.

 

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