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Noura Al-Matroushi Is On Path To Become The First Arab Woman In Space

Noura Al-Matroushi was selected from over 4,000 candidates to be trained with the NASA Astronaut Group 23 of astronauts for future space exploration missions.

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2021

Joanna Melki

noura al-matroushi is on path to become the first arab woman in space

Following the recent success of the Emirates Mars Mission, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has just announced the name of the first Arab female astronaut, Noura Al-Matroushi.

Al-Matrooshi was selected from over 4,000 candidates to be trained with the NASA Astronaut Group 23 of astronauts for future space exploration missions. A mechanical engineer by training, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the United Arab Emirates University and also studied at the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) in Finland and Hanyang University in Seoul.

Since 2016, Al-Matrooshi works as a piping engineer at the UAE’s National Petroleum Construction Company. In addition to her previous work experience and education, she also stood out from the rest of the candidates thanks to her IQ and personality.

noura al-matroushi and niganned al-mulla uae astronauts

Emirates News Agency

Al-Matrooshi will be training together with her male counterpart, Mohammed Al-Mulla. Born in 1988, Al-Mulla is a pilot at the Air Wing Center, and he has more than 1,500 flight hours under his belt. He has been able to spend so much time in the air because he became the youngest pilot in Dubai Police at 19 years of age.

The two astronauts in training will be preparing for a long stay in space and everything that goes along with it, including spacewalks, spaceflight control, and missions in low orbit involving robotics.

Also Read: UAE To Unleash Hordes Of Cloud-Triggering Drones

Currently, the United Arab Emirates has four astronauts (counting Noura Al-Matroushi and Mohammed Al-Mulla) serving under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), a Dubai government organization working on the UAE space program.

There’s a lot of responsibility on their shoulders because the gulf country would like to become a leading space exploration nation. If Noura Al-Matroushi and Mohammed Al-Mulla successfully complete their training, they can not only make this ambitious goal come true but also inspire a new generation of astronauts.

Related Topics:Dubai NASA Space United Arab Emirates

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Foodics Acquires Online-Ordering Specialist & Invests In 3 Startups

The deal with UK-based Solo Venture was made at LEAP 2025, and will help create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

foodics acquires online-ordering specialist and invests in 3 startups

MENA-based restaurant and payments technology provider Foodics has fully acquired Solo Venture, a UK-based company specializing in self-ordering kiosks and white-label online ordering solutions. The deal was reached at this year’s LEAP 2025 event in Riyadh and is part of Foodics’ strategy to create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants and catering firms.

Solo’s technology includes AI-driven self-service solutions, simplifying ordering and increasing profit margins. By integrating Solo into its platform, Foodics will soon be able to offer restaurants a comprehensive suite of tools covering everything from dine-in management to payments and analytics.

Ahmad Al-Zaini, CEO and Co-Founder of Foodics explained: “This acquisition is a significant step in our mission to build the most comprehensive restaurant management platform in MENA and beyond. To further support our ecosystem and the future of tech in the F&B sector, we are allocating $100M in strategic acquisitions and investments in Fintech, AI, and other transformative technologies over the coming three years”.

Beyond the Solo acquisition, Foodics is also backing three startups as part of its wider expansion plan:

Norma: A Greek AI-powered data analytics firm that enables business professionals to generate insights instantly, eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Add: A specialized accounting platform designed for small and medium-sized restaurants to simplify financial reporting and payroll management.
Arzaq Plus: A smart food and beverage supply chain platform that optimizes sourcing and logistics while introducing a “Buy Now, Pay Later” feature to the Foodics platform.

Also Read: Taager Secures $6.75M To Expand Social eCommerce In MENA

Anas Alghanim, Foodics’ Director of Corporate Development, emphasized, “At Foodics, every investment we make is aimed at creating valuable solutions that drive growth and deliver tangible success, ensuring that we empower our partners and customers to shape the future of the industry”.

The LEAP 2025 announcement coincides with the celebration of Foodics’ 10th anniversary. After supporting over 30,000 food and beverage businesses across 30 countries, Foodics continues to push the boundaries of restaurant management technology, helping companies streamline operations and enhance customer experience.