The fifth year of the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute – a regional nuclear study programme –came to a close with a two-day symposium on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards. The event concluded with a graduation ceremony for this year’s participants.
On 12 April, H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, gave a commencement address to graduates from the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) of the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research. The fifth GNEII Symposium 2016 commemorated the conclusion of the nuclear study programme with a graduation ceremony of 22 Emirati nuclear fellows.
GNEII is a unique educational institute in the region, which was established as a result of a partnership between Khalifa University, UAE Sandia National Laboratories, and Texas A&M University.
The two-day symposium enabled fellows to share research results and to meet senior UAE nuclear officials and experts of nuclear-related entities from the United States (US).
In his speech to the graduates, Ambassador Alkaabi emphasized the role that the GNEII programme plays in setting an example of a successful partnership, and in demonstrating the commitment that UAE and US partners place on the integrated approach to nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
He also highlighted the importance of human capacity building in the nuclear industry.
“Today, the UAE nuclear programme is moving into an advanced stage of development, with well established organizations, and an advanced project with four reactors under construction, with the first getting ready to be commissioned next year.”
He also noted that GNEII has evolved into a successful regional, education-based institute, serving capacity building efforts. “GNEII, as a regional institute, has helped to build capacity in nuclear technology infrastructure and to instill international principles and norms in nuclear safety, security and safeguards,” he said.
“GNEII continues to develop to meet nuclear sector needs, working with international partners including the IAEA, developing further the scope of its programme into research and technical services,” concluded the Ambassador.
The 2016 fellows came from main stakeholder entities of the UAE’s nuclear sector, including the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA).
Since its inception in 2011, GNEII has trained 99 nuclear fellows from main UAE nuclear stakeholders. It further serves as a regional educational, training, and research hub, and contributes to enhancing a nuclear safety and security culture.
