In December, Marwan Mohey Yehia, Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Rocket Technologies, organised the first race 2 space Oman initiative workshop hosted by the College of Engineering in partnership with Race 2 Space UK, the National Space programme & Etlaq Spaceport. Building on the workshop’s focus on collaboration, hands-on learning, and capacity-building, the guest shares his perspectives on the opportunities and future directions for students and researchers in space and rocketry.

What makes this first race 2 space Oman initiative workshop at SQU significant for Oman’s emerging space sector, and how do you see it shaping national capabilities in the coming years?

This workshop is a major milestone for Oman’s growing space ecosystem because it focuses on building real interest and capability among the next generation of space engineers. Our goal is to create opportunities for students to contribute through practical, hands-on activities that equip them with the skills and experience needed to support national and regional ambitions in rocketry and space technology.

The timing is ideal, it aligns with Etlaq Spaceport’s efforts, the National Space Programme’s long-term vision, and the rising private-sector momentum toward developing local launch capabilities led by Advanced Rocket Technologies and our upcoming projects. Together, these developments accelerate research, push technological boundaries, and help shape a skilled engineering workforce that can support Oman’s strategy to become a regional hub for space and launch services.

Advanced Rocket Technologies is partnering with SQU through programmes like Race 2 Space Oman. How do these collaborations enhance students’ hands-on experience and contribute to developing a skilled Omani workforce in rocketry and space engineering?

Our approach is structured and practical. We begin by establishing SQU’s first Rocketry Club, providing technical supervision, guidance, and resources for students to design and build model rockets. This gives them early exposure to real engineering principles on a manageable scale. Then, we work with Etlaq Spaceport to launch a model-rocket competition in Duqm so students can test their work in the sky, a key milestone in building confidence and technical capability. Beyond that, we aim to create partnerships with advanced UK university rocketry teams to co-develop components, exchange experience, and enable Omani students to visit test sites in the UK during the annual Race 2 Space competition for global exposure.

These foundations eventually lead into propulsion R&D, component manufacturing, and larger-scale engineering projects within Oman. Through this pipeline, students gain practical experience, international exposure, and industry readiness, helping create a sustainable local talent base for the future heavy-industry space economy..
 

During the workshop, the newly launched SQU Student Rocketry Club was introduced. What role do you believe student-led initiatives such as this will play in accelerating innovation and practical learning in the field of space technologies?

Student-led initiatives like the Rocketry Club are the heart of early innovation. They create a space where students can experiment, build, fail safely, and learn through hands-on engineering, which is essential in technology development. Clubs also help students work in multidisciplinary teams, mirroring real industry environments where propulsion, electronics, software, structures and operations all come together.

These clubs become talent incubators. They help identify motivated students, accelerate their learning beyond classrooms, and connect them to national projects. Over time, they evolve into R&D micro-ecosystems that feed into Oman’s broader ambitions for launch capabilities, manufacturing, and space technology innovation.

The Space Engineering Laboratory currently being established at SQU is expected to support advanced research and training. From an industry standpoint, what competencies and research areas should this lab prioritise to meet real-world needs?

From an industry standpoint, the lab should focus on competencies that directly support launch system development and satellite engineering. These include:

• Propulsion fundamentals: small-scale solid and hybrid engine design, testing, and data analysis.
• Structures and materials: composite manufacturing, structural testing, and lightweight design methods.
• Avionics and control systems: sensor integration, GNC, telemetry, and embedded systems.
• Manufacturing technologies: CNC, additive manufacturing, machining tolerances, and rapid prototyping.
• Launch operations simulation: safety procedures, systems integration, and mission planning tools.

Prioritising these areas will allow the lab to produce graduates who can contribute directly to Oman’s long-term space ambitions and support industrial R&D needs from day one.

Oman is investing in its national space ecosystem as part of its long-term vision. Based on your experience, what are the most promising opportunities for university–industry collaboration that could drive innovation in launch systems, satellite technologies, and related applications?

The strongest opportunities lie in building a development pipeline that connects academia with real engineering challenges. Some key areas include:

• Launch systems R&D, where universities contribute analysis, design, testing, and simulation work.
• Satellite applications, especially Earth observation, climate monitoring, agriculture, and coastal management, areas with high national value.
• Component manufacturing, where students and researchers co-develop parts used in rockets or satellite subsystems.
• Internships and joint research, giving students exposure to industry standards early in their training.
• Shared facilities, where academic labs support early-stage industry testing and prototyping.

What would you like to share with engineering students who are pursuing careers in rocketry, satellite engineering, or other space-related disciplines?

My message is simple: dream boldly, and do not be afraid to fail. Every major achievement in space began with small steps: student projects, simple prototypes, late nights experimenting, and the willingness to learn from failure.

This field needs passionate engineers who are curious, persistent, and ready to push boundaries. With Oman investing in its space ecosystem, opportunities will continue to grow, and those who start now will become the pioneers leading the next decade of innovation.