As Part of Its Emirati Women’s Day Celebrations
- Emirati Astronaut Nora Al-Matrooshi:
- A setback is simply a learning experience on the path to future success
- I overcame physical exertion and psychological pressure through determination, perseverance, and training
Marking Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, TRENDS Group organized an inspiring session titled We Emerge Stronger and Better: Emirati Women Shaping the Future, featuring Emirati astronaut Nora Al-Matrooshi. The session highlighted the achievements and aspirations of Emirati women and their growing role in shaping the future of the United Arab Emirates.
Rawdha Al-Marzooqi, Head of the Distribution and Exhibitions Sector at TRENDS Group, introduced the session, which was moderated by Warda Al-Menhali, Researcher and Head of the Organizational Communication Sector at TRENDS Group. The session explored Al-Matrooshi’s early aspirations, her exceptional journey, and the historic milestone she achieved in 2021 when she became the first Emirati and Arab woman to be selected for the second cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program.
Strengthening the Role of Women
Opening the session, Dr. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, Chairman of TRENDS Group, said that Emirati Women’s Day is celebrated not merely as a symbolic occasion, but as an opportunity to reflect on a well-established national journey that embodies the values of Emirati society. Throughout this journey, Emirati women have proven themselves to be integral partners in nation-building, making a tangible impact in leadership, education, culture, and community service.
He stressed that, since its founding, the UAE has firmly believed that societal progress cannot be achieved without empowering women and strengthening their presence in positions of responsibility and decision-making. The UAE experience has therefore emerged as an outstanding model of women’s empowerment, one that preserves society’s identity and values while reinforcing the status of women and their significant role across various fields of national and humanitarian work. Dr. Al Ali added that Emirati women have proven themselves to be active partners in shaping the present and building the future, and that their empowerment represents a successful investment in people, development, and the UAE’s bright future.
Supporting New Generations
Dr. Al Ali noted that TRENDS Group is committed to providing every opportunity for women to unleash their creativity, expressing pride in the contributions women make across the organization and their role in its success. He also praised cultural and youth institutions for providing platforms that give voice to women’s aspirations, celebrate their achievements, and support new generations. He thanked TRENDS’ guest, Emirati astronaut Nora Al-Matrooshi, describing her as an inspiring role model for Emirati women in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges and paving the way for future generations of women in the space sector.
The Beginning of a Dream
Emirati astronaut and mechanical engineer Nora Al-Matrooshi explained that her dream of becoming an astronaut began when she was five or six years old. In kindergarten, her teacher organized a simulation of the lunar surface, transforming the classroom into a moon-like environment. The children entered a rocket-shaped tent and then crawled through a cardboard tunnel as part of an unforgettable exploratory experience. The experience remained firmly etched in her memory, inspiring her to one day relive it and ultimately make it a reality.
Al-Matrooshi recalled that, while in high school, she watched a documentary about the launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket. She noticed that one of the astronauts was a mechanical engineer. This prompted her to explore different branches of engineering, and she found that mechanical engineering suited her interests because of its focus on physics and mathematics. She subsequently enrolled at United Arab Emirates University and aspired to join a NASA training program, but the opportunity did not materialize after the program was discontinued.
Determination and Perseverance
Al-Matrooshi said she never gave up on her dream and remained determined to achieve it. She joined the second cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program, describing the announcement of her selection as a moment of mixed emotions: immense joy coupled with apprehension about the magnitude of the responsibility, alongside a strong determination to fulfill her ambition. She realized she was no longer representing only herself, but an entire country and its people.
The Emirati astronaut also spoke about the rigorous training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, including spacewalk training at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where she spent long hours underwater in a heavy spacesuit. She also trained to fly T-38 jets to enhance her ability to make rapid decisions under pressure, learned Russian as the second language used on the International Space Station, and familiarized herself with the station’s systems and emergency procedures for incidents such as fires and leaks.
She said the greatest challenge she faced was the sustained physical exertion and psychological pressure, particularly given the weight of the spacesuit and the prolonged training periods. However, she overcame these challenges through determination, perseverance, and continuous training.
Ambition Without Limits
Al-Matrooshi urged every woman and girl to aspire to her dreams, set no limits on her ambitions, begin working toward them today through study and hard work, and not give up after an initial failure. A setback, she said, is simply a learning experience on the path to future success. She also encouraged girls to make the most of the unwavering support provided by the UAE leadership, which opens doors and believes in women’s capabilities, stressing that everyone should strive and work hard to turn their dreams into reality.
