A satellite for knowledge economy: knowledge transfer in the UAE space program

Abstract

The Dubai government’s Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) mission is to prepare scientists and researchers in the field of advanced sciences and technology. EIAST’s main goal is to support the creation of a knowledge-based economy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first project adopted by EIAST is the establishment of the UAE’s space program, which involves in-depth technology transfer programs to build re-mote sensing satellites. This study highlights the important role technology transfer has in es-tablishing new technical sectors and building national capability. The aim of this study is to give policymakers a better insight about the different aspects and challenges associated with technology transfer program, and the possible ways around these challenges. A qualitative ap-proach was used to conduct this research. Literature on tacit knowledge, technology transfer, space policy, and space rationale was reviewed and analyzed. The study also required con-ducting a number of interviews with the team of UAE engineers involved in the DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2 projects. The findings indicate that focusing only on explicit knowledge is not sufficient to develop the required technical skills. Forming a community of practice and ob-taining tacit knowledge, by experience and through exposure to different design methodolo-gies, is necessary for a successful technology transfer program.