Scholarships, simulators and satellites: students set the pace at Ru'ya 2026

Dubai hosted Ru ya 2026, a bustling event where students dominated the floor, brimming with questions, plans and enthusiasm. Among them was 17-year-old Moza Khitbi, a high school senior who approached the fair with a group of friends, seeking guidance on diverse career paths. Medicine and engineering were just a couple of the fields she explored, stopping at various booths to learn about scholarships, degree timelines, and admission requirements.

Upon completing her inquiries, Moza expressed her newfound clarity about the steps ahead: prioritizing her grades, preparing for language tests, and navigating the university route.

Meanwhile, another student, Adazak, was immersed in the Rubu Qarn Science & Technology hackathon. The challenge was to devise a business idea to alleviate workplace stress, but for Adazak, the competition was not solely about winning. As he looked towards his future, Adazak sought insights into potential employment opportunities.

Currently a year away from entering the workforce, he engaged with the Emirates booth, experiencing a simulator that offered a glimpse into the world of aviation. While piloting was not his chosen career, Adazak appreciated the opportunity to understand the requirements of operating an aircraft.

For students with aspirations beyond the immediate horizon, the National Space Academy, one of Ru ya 2026's STEM partners, offered a glimpse into the realm of space science and technology. Khalid and Abdelaziz Alhammadi showcased their project, WATAN SAT, an environmental monitoring satellite designed to track pollution and environmental shifts within the Arabian Gulf and the surrounding waters of the UAE.

The satellite's data would be transmitted to a ground station and a live dashboard, providing valuable information on environmental changes in the region.

These students shared a common thread: an insatiable curiosity that propelled them beyond mere participation. They approached potential employers and universities with specific inquiries: "How do I attain your position?" "What path will lead me there?" For a generation brimming with choices, Ru ya 2026 served as a pivotal platform where career aspirations transformed from mere dreams into actionable plans.