Leicester’s space expertise highlighted at major Middle East conference

Space Park Leicester has showcased its vital role in UK space and Earth observation science at the internationally recognised Middle East Space Conference in Oman.

The University of Leicester’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park was invited to attend the event by the UK Department for Business & Trade and the British Business Forum Oman.

The conference, which was held from January 8 to 10, set out to reshape the space sector in the Middle East and presented Space Park Leicester with a unique platform to display its state-of-the-art facilities, academic programs and ongoing work to a global audience.

Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “The Middle East Space Conference was a landmark event in the region, attracting leading figures from governmental, academic and private space organisations worldwide.

“It provided a stage for vital discussions on diverse space-related topics, including strategic development and funding.

“It was an excellent avenue for us to promote our Undergraduate and Master’s programs, which we offer in partnership with the University of Leicester.

“We also introduced our upcoming Space CPD programme and discussed potential investment opportunities. These efforts align with our goals for Space Park Leicester, the broader Space City project and the Midlands Space Cluster.”

The Middle East Space Conference was organised by Euroconsult and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman.

During the event, the British Business Forum conducted a networking session to help participants to forge new business relationships.

Space Park Leicester’s participation in the Middle East Space Conference was the latest in a series of initiatives it has undertaken to enhance its international reputation and reach.

It recently welcomed space innovators, government officials and entrepreneurs from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa as part of the UK-Africa Space-Technology Knowledge Exchange and Leicester scientists shared their research at the latest COP28 climate conference in Dubai at the end of last year.

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