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Emirati engineers gain insights and inspiration as they prepare to become licensed nuclear reactor operators
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE’s Minister of International Cooperation and Development, today provided words of encouragement and inspiration to an elite group of Emiratis who have completed their Generic Fundamentals Examination to become certified nuclear reactor operators.
Sheikha Lubna, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), spoke at an official ceremony hosted at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic where she congratulated Emirati engineers studying to attain Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) and Reactor Operator (RO) Licensure/Certification as part of ENEC’s Energy Pioneers program.
Today’s ceremony comes as ENEC embarks on its latest roadshow to attract and train the UAE’s most talented science students and experienced professionals, providing them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the emerging nuclear energy sector through its scholarship program.
The engineers received their certificates and were praised by Sheikha Lubna, who shared her wisdom ahead of them departing for the next phase of their development where they will receive on-site training at some of the world’s most advanced nuclear facilities in South Korea.
“Over the next few months, the engineers will experience life in a fully operational nuclear energy plant and they will gain some incredible, hands-on experience,” said Sheikha Lubna. “It will be a unique opportunity for them to learn from industry experts, and see first-hand what best practice looks like.”
Senior Reactor Operators will play a critical role in the direction and supervision of the UAE’s nuclear energy facilities, the first of which is scheduled to deliver safe, clean, efficient electricity by 2017. The specialized SRO program undertaken by the engineers is being delivered by one of ENEC’s training partners, Westinghouse Electric Company.
Sheikha Lubna added: “In 2017, as the first plant comes online, we will be relying on each of these energy pioneers to perform with absolute precision, professionalism and confidence.
“These engineers have been selected to be a part of UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program because of their ability, their talent, their values and ethics. We know they are all capable of achieving great things and achieving excellence.”
The SRO preparation program is a key element of the UAE’s model nuclear energy program that combines advanced technologies and safeguards with training that reflects the highest international standards.
While imparting knowledge of nuclear fundamentals, plant systems, and integrated plant operations, the course plays a key role in the development of a nuclear safety culture. This is achieved through a continuous emphasis on the principles for a strong nuclear safety culture, human performance fundamentals, control room supervisory skills, teamwork and communication.
ENEC CEO, Mohamed Al Hammadi, also addressed the engineers, outlining his experiences as an overseas student and the importance of the Emirati engineers becoming “ambassadors of nuclear safety”.
“We are encouraging everyone undertaking our scholarships to recognize the unique opportunity they have as pioneers of the nuclear energy industry in the UAE,” Mr. Al Hammadi said.
“We all must become ambassadors of nuclear safety and nothing is more important at ENEC than our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety at all times. Our Senior Reactor Operators have a bigger role to play here than most.”
The group also learnt about the road taken by previous Energy Pioneer engineers, with one engineer, a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer with ENEC, discussing his path and the training he fulfilled under ENEC’s scholarship program. He also provided some background on his studies and gave some timely advice for engineers about to head to South Korea.
ENEC is committed to providing safe, reliable, clean and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE. ENEC is constructing four nuclear energy plants in Barakah, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. The first plant is scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2017.
For more information, visit www.enec.gov.ae. Students can also apply online with the full scholarship details available at www.enec.gov.ae/scholarships.
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