In a journey through the vastness of space, City University hosted a distinguished lecture by Professor Jacques Arnold, Advisor to the French Space Agency (CNES), entitled “What Can Space Offer Humanity?”
The event attracted students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, faculty members, and prominent figures from the community. Professor Arnold shared his extensive experience in space exploration and discussed the future of this promising field with the audience.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Dr. Hiba Sheikh, delivered a welcoming speech in which she emphasized the importance of space exploration and its impact on the future of humanity. She also provided a brief overview of Professor Arnold’s accomplished career in this field.
Dr. Sheikh also expressed her gratitude to Ms. Mona Naama for her pioneering role in the success of this meeting. Her efforts and initiative played a significant role in connecting with Professor Jacques Arnold and inviting him to deliver his distinguished lecture at the university.
Professor Arnold began his lecture with a journey through time, reviewing the history of space exploration from its earliest beginnings. He spoke about how space transformed from a distant dream into a reality with the launch of the first satellite by the Soviet Union. He also highlighted the heated race between the United States and the Soviet Union to control space, which led to remarkable achievements such as Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon.
Professor Arnold also discussed the positive impacts of space exploration on humanity, noting that it has contributed to the development of many technologies that we use today, such as communication devices, medicine, and navigation. He also emphasized that space exploration has helped us better understand the universe and discover new possibilities for life on other planets.
Nonetheless, Professor Arnold also acknowledged the many challenges that need to be addressed, such as the high cost of space travel and the risks faced by astronauts. However, he expressed optimism about the future of this field, asserting that international cooperation and technological advancements will help us overcome these challenges.
The lecture catalyzed a spirited exchange among attendees, with students actively engaging the speaker and posing probing inquiries on diverse facets of space exploration, fostering a vibrant intellectual dialogue.
In a notable announcement, the university unveiled a collaborative initiative with CNES, a renowned institution with approximately 3000 personnel across Toulouse, Paris, and the French Guiana colony. The venture encompasses student involvement in research projects and the exchange of expertise, marking a significant stride in the university’s odyssey towards unraveling the mysteries of space. This endeavor aligns with the broader goal of fostering international cooperation in space exploration while nurturing a culture of research and innovation among university students, thus augmenting scientific prowess and knowledge enrichment in this promising domain.

Concluding the proceedings, Dr. Edgar Rizk, President of City University, bestowed upon Professor Arnold a trophy as a token of appreciation for his invaluable contributions to this cosmic frontier.