During this one-day conference, Prof. Ilias Fernini, SAASST Director of the Space Sciences Department, was invited as a keynote speaker. Prof. Ilias showcased the different SAASST departments and the open-door students' policy, allowing students from all the UAE academic institutions to spend 8-12 weeks as part of their internship programs. This policy has permitted SAASST to train hundreds of students during the past five years. Several of these trainees became full-time SAASST researchers.

This HCT apprenticeship conference was conducted online and gathered prominent industrial partners and academicians to contribute to the critical knowledge-sharing event through presentations. Presenters were able to share their expertise and discuss the apprenticeship framework, opportunities, and challenges in UAE. The learning outcomes of this first conference were around:

• Understand the competencies and credential values via the apprentice's program in UAE
• Explore apprentices program in UAE: Towards a possible suggested framework and structure
• Explore opportunities towards a successful quality Apprenticeship program from the industry perspective