Essay: MBRSC – innovations, value and culture

About MBRSC:
According to MBRSC (2006) website, the Dubai Government has established Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) in 2006. The main vision was to formulate the emergence of the space sector and advanced technology in the UAE. In 2015, the ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued a decree of merging EIAST with MBRSC. The duties of MBRSC, as mentioned in the website, are to support the technological projects in UAE, conduct advanced scientific researches and build-up UAE knowledge-based economy.
Key variables:
1. Innovations:
In the first phase, MBRSC have successfully innovated the first Satellite DubaiSat-1in 2009, after three years of the center establishment (MBRSC, 2006). In the second phase, the second innovated satellite was DubaiSat-2, which was launched in 2013 after four years of the first initiated satellite. These two inventions were built up by Emirati engineers and technology specialists who worked together with Korean partners (MBRSC, 2006). It is believed that the first two innovations, DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2, were incremental innovation. This is because in the incremental innovation, the components of the technology were improved with maintaining the architecture system and the satellite technology is already existed in the market (Smith, 2015). The third innovation was Khalifa Sat that was launched 2018, which was the first 100% Emirati Satellite (MBRSC, 2006). It is assumed that Khalifa Sat was architectural innovation. This is because the UAE experts has used their knowledge and skills to develop a new satellite system made by 100% Emirati team, where the main technological system is changed and the components of the satellite has improved with minor changes. In the third phase, the future innovation project announced by MBRSC (2006) would be an advanced satellite named ‘Hope Probe’, which is expected to be launched in 2021. MBRSC is expecting that this innovation will remark the Arab-Islamic world in the exploration of space and place the UAE as one of the significant scientific countries who initiated programs for exploring Mars. (MBRSC, 2006). The researcher believes that Hope Probe would be a radical innovation. This is because it will be completely a new invention in the Arab market and Islamic world in the space and would be the first probe technology built in UAE and Arab region by Emirati experts.
2. Innovation strategies:
As stated in MBRSC (2006) website, the main innovation strategy in the first phase was focused on formulating new Emirati generations of engineers, researchers and experts. This was conducted through exchange knowledge program with Korean partners, in which Emirati engineers who were sent to Korea for ten years to gain the experience and knowledge on how to create a satellite. Also, they aim to formulate expert leaders in space industry through adopting sustainable training programs and creating an inspiring work environment. Another strategy was to establish a scientific laboratory with tools and facilities and infrastructure to support UAE mission to space programs.
In the second phase, the strategy of training staff has continued as well as upgrading the science laboratory with latest technologies and tools. In addition, MBRSC (2006) aimed to transfer knowledge programs to academic sectors as well as UAE society through raising awareness on the importance of scientific explorations and innovation and supporting the emergence of small and medium-sized enterprises in science and technology field. Also, their strategy has focused on developing the policies and lows in the science sector, advanced technology and researches. In 2017, MBRSC (2006) has also announced the UAE Astronaut Program that aimed to provide training and qualification programs for Emiratis to become an astronauts in order to support UAE vision to make significant contributions in scientific exploration, strength the UAE position in space sector through achieving manned space missions and promote the culture of innovation and exploration among young generation to contribute in STEM subjects.
In the third phase, the researcher assumes that the future strategy of MBRSC might be Artificial Intelligence laboratory. The researcher believes that the UAE seek to significant contribution in space sector and amaze the world with high-technology innovations. Thus, creating an AI laboratory might be the next strategy to support UAE space industry in terms of enhancing the quality of advanced technology.
3. Innovations resources:
In phase one, Amen (2019) noted that the innovation resources for MBRSC are the employees including the engineers, IT specialists and experts. Those employees where trained in Korea to gain the experience and knowledge in order to develop UAE experts in space sectors. Thus, the Koreans’ knowledge exchange program was considered as external innovation resource (Amen, 2019). Also, the development of scientific laboratory in MBRSC that is equipped with latest tools has emphasized their inventions, Thus, it is considered a great resource to innovate (Amen, 2019). In addition, the research and development program is another innovation resource that helped to explore space. In phase two, Amen (2019) declared that the innovation resources remained the same. However, in phase three, Amen (2019) noted that it is expected that more innovation resources will exist. The designed program for UAE astronauts in phase two, Amen (2019) added, will develop Emirati astronauts as a new innovation resource in phase three. It is expected that they will enhance the innovation journey of MBRSC to explore the Mars. Also, the researcher presumes that school and university students who would be the future resources of innovation, who would potentially create innovative solutions that face astronauts or other challenges that faced in space industry.
4. Innovations leaders:
The innovation leaders of MBRSC innovation programs, as stated by Amen (2019) are the president of UAE H.H . Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Also, the managers in MBRSC; Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Board member of MBRSC and Abdulla Harmoul, KhalifaSat launch Manager, are significant innovation leaders who contributed in UAE mission to explore the space. In addition, the expert employees including the engineers, technicians and IT specialists are one of the innovation leaders in in MBRSC. Those leaders are the same in all three phases. However, Amen (2009) declared that it is expected that in phase three there would be UAE astronauts who might be significant leaders in exploring the space.
5. Innovations Cost:
According to Amen (2019), the annual budget of the MBRSC innovative programs are supported by the UAE government. As Amen (2019) stated, the innovation cost of employees training has increased dramatically in every phase. In phase one for instance, the percentage of employees training with Koreans cost was 30% of the total budget. In phase two it has increased to 35%, while in phase three it has divided in two training programs as a total percentage 40%; 15% for training UAE astronauts and 25% for training staff. The UAE vision is always believing in the great investment in human. This what is shown in MBRSC how they are keen to train staff in order to develop Emirati experts and leaders in space industry. Also, the innovation cost for scientific laboratory and equipment, as declared by Amen (2019), was increasing in each phase, 30% in phase one, 32% in phase two and 35% in phase three. This indicates their keen to provide the latest equipment and tools in designing satellites. Also, the cost of researches and development programs, as mentioned by Amen (2019), were increasing in each phase; 20% in phase one, 23% in phase two and 25% in phase three. Other innovation costs in phase one and two were mainly for developing innovative work environment, building partnership with other entities (Amen, 2019).
6. Product Innovations:
In phase one and two, Amen (2019) noted that the innovative products in MBRSC are mentioned in previous points; the three Satellites; Dubai-1, Dubai-2, Khalifa Sat and Hope probe will be the future product. In phase three, the researcher is expecting that MBRSC might produce more innovative products for the community such as virtual reality games that teaches the children the astronaut journey or how they build a Satellite or Probe as well as some online games in app store about the space to spread the knowledge among the next generation.
7. Process Innovation:
Amen (2019) has declared that MBRSC has formed a satellite control center at their work place, where it is equipped with latest technological software that monitor the satellite over the space. This software allows the employees in the control center to manage the satellite easily, quickly and help to take clear pictures of the specified area. In phase two, the MBRSC has participated in 10X Dubai initiative that aims to place Dubai city ten years forward among other cities in the world (Dubai 10X, 2017). Thus, adopting 10X Dubai, as Amen (2019) stated, allowed to accelerate the process of developing the invention of Hope Probe. In phase three, the researcher expects that MBRSC would create virtual reality system for UAE astronauts’ program. This would help to enhance the training process for future astronauts through reducing the period of training. In addition, the researcher expects to create virtual reality scientific laboratory in order to reduce error in the process of innovating new Satellites.
8. Services Innovations:
MBRSC provides services for their partners and such entities in environment and geographic changes (MBRSC, 2006). The innovative services are the same in phase one and phase two. The services are satellite imagery, satellite imagery analysis and studies, ground station services and observation services – remote sensing. The expected innovative services would be Khalifa Sat Imagery services, Khalifa Sat Imagery analysis and studies services and Hope Probe Imagery analysis and studies of Mars (MBRSC, 2006).
9. Technology innovations:
In phase one, as engineers and specialists were in learning progress through exchanging knowledge with Korean partners, they have not generated yet new ideas based on their knowledge or technological capabilities (Amen,2019). In phase two, specifically in 2018, MBRSC have introduced Khalifa Sat that is considered “the most technological advanced remote sensing observation satellite” (MBRSC, 2006). This technology has received five patents (MBRSC, 2006). In phase three, MBRSC is expecting to boost their technological innovation through inventing the first Arab-Islamic Probe that is expected to help in exploring Mars mission (MBRSC, 2006).
10. Economic value:
The space technology is becoming essential investment for security and economic development of nations. It is anticipated that the space industry worth about $300 billion globally and the investments are growing by 8% annually (EmiratesMarsMission, 2010). It is not clear from the official websites how the economic value of UAE has changed throughout the three phases. Amin (2019) noted that the UAE investment in space industry has increased dramatically in each phase, however, there is not exact statistics to prove it in this research. On the other hand, EmiratesMarsMission (2010) website noted that the current UAE economic value in space industry is more than 20 AED billion. This number indicates that the future economic value, after launching the Hope Probe, would increase the economic value about more than 20 AED billion.
11. Strategic advantage:
In phase one, the entity was existed in 2006, with optimistic goals, therefore, the competitive advantages in this phase is not applicable. In the second phase, the first satellite was built 100% by Emirati experts was a great strategic advantage for MBRSC to prove the ability and ambitious of the Emirati expert team to be pioneers in Arab region to made this satellite by themselves and compete it in the space industry (Amen, 2019). The future strategic advantage of MBRSC aims to be the first Arab Islamic mission to explore another planet (EmiratesMarsMission, 2010). In the MBRSC (2006) website, it is emphasized that this advantage would strength the UAE position in space sector in terms of demonstrating the competency of Arabs as contributors to humanity and civilization. It would also allow the UAE to achieve its strategic goal to be one of the top countries in space industry. In addition, it aims to inspire the future generation to think optimistically and shows that optimism with confidence can result great achievement in human development, in which would encourage Arabs to compete in this field.
12. Global Advantages:
The MBRSC have not introduced global advantages in the first phase as the entity was established in 2006. In phase two, the Dubai Sat Images have contributed to several global advantages. One of these advantages are supporting global disasters such as ‘floods in Pakistan in 2010, the mine collapse in Chile in 2010, the tsunami in Japan in 2011, and the Costa Concordia incident in 2012’ (MBRSC, 2006). In addition, MBRSC is dedicated to offer support in terms of monitoring natural disaster and rescue duties throughout crises to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN-SPIDER). Another global advantage of MBRSC innovations is environmental monitoring such as controlling water quality, sea pollution, predicting weather changes such as sandstorms and fogs. In phase three, it is expected that the introduction of Hope Probe will lead to several global advantages. One of the significant advantages is exploring Martian atmosphere, in which would provide the first global overview of the Martin atmosphere, investigates the interactions of the lower and upper layers of the atmosphere and examine the climate change among current and ancient climate of the Red Planet.
13. Organization Culture:
In all three phases, Amen (2019) declared that the culture of MBRSC demonstrates a successful organization culture. Amen (2019) stated that the entity is keen to adopt the latest advanced technology in manufacturing satellites and monitoring it over the space. This indicates that MBRSC culture is embracing the latest technology in order to compete in space industry. Also, Amen (2019) added that MBRSC is a creative and innovative environment in which encourages employees to express their creativity and embrace their innovative ideas. In addition, MBRSC environment is full of positivity, simulation and optimistic toward achieving the UAE strategic vision in space industry (Amen, 2019). In addition, the organization environment encourages exchanging knowledge among employees (Amen, 2019).
14. Stakeholders Value:
The stakeholders of MBRSC involves government entities, private companies in UAE and international organizations around the world such as USA, Russia, Spain, Japan and others (MBRSC, 2006). In the first phase, MBRSC was building up a partnership with several entities and has just launched the first Satellite, Dubai Sat-1, with partnership of Korean experts (Amen, 2019). Thus, the stakeholders have not received benefits yet from MBRSC. In phase two, stakeholders have benefited from MBRSC after launching these Satellites. These benefits are mainly for ‘Urban Planning, Environmental Monitoring, Geographical Measuring, Civil Development, Construction, Change Detection, Infrastructure Development, Environment And Disaster Management and Emergency Response’ (MBRSC, 2006). In phase three, the same benefits of phase two will continue. In addition, the researcher expects that in phase three, MBRSC would provide intensive studies and analysis about Mars mission for local and global entities.
15. Employees Value:
Amen (2019) stated that MBRSC is keen to provide career growth opportunities for ambitious Emiratis in space sector. The entity, as Amen said, provides highest skills and training programs that aims to bring out the best in employees and employ their potential to achieve organization success and personal goals. Also, Amen (2019) added that MBRSC provides Emiratis expectational job opportunities that is full of challenges, passion and surrounded by the spirit of team work. A great examples of training programs are knowledge transfer program with University of Colorado, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of California, Berkeley Space Sciences Lab, Arizona State University and School of Earth and Space Exploration (EmiratesMarsMission, 2010). Another value stated by Amen (2019) is the innovative environment where employees can benefit from working in MBRSC. They are allowed to express their creativity and supported by all equipment they need to test their innovative ideas with full support of management team.