Sharjah 24: As part of the University of Sharjah's and Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology's (SAASST) collaborative efforts, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University, approved a project to develop and professionalise the planetarium's display systems and equip it with cutting-edge technology.

The university will collaborate with the specialist Emirati company "Visuals Attractions" to build and upgrade the planetarium.
 
The Sharjah Planetarium will be the Middle East's first to employ cutting-edge technologies to assist university students, schools, and the general public.

The university will work with the pioneering German company ZEISS to develop and upgrade the planetarium in collaboration with the specialist Emirati company "Visuals Attractions."
 
The contract was signed at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology's headquarters by Prof. Dr Hamid Majul Al-Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University and Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology, and Mr Wissam Al-Mufti, Executive Director of Visual Attractions. The signing was attended by several Vice Presidents of the University, Deans of colleges, Directors of departments, faculty members, and representatives of the international company "ZEISS" and academics in the fields of space and astronomy sciences.
 
On the side-lines of the signing of the agreement, the University of Sharjah's Chancellor confirmed that, in conformance with the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the President of the University, the University of Sharjah continues to strive to provide the most up-to-date scientific breakthroughs in display techniques that are commensurate with the Planetarium's scientific and educational content in astronomy and space sciences to university undergraduate and postgraduate students.
 
The Sharjah Academy of Astronomy Space Sciences and Technology attracts a wide range of visitors, including researchers, schoolchildren, university students, and tourists.
 
Apart from the planetarium, the Academy's astronomical research facilities include many observatories and laboratories for astrophysics and space exploration.