UAE Nuclear Industry Working Together To Meet Human Resource Needs
Representatives of UAE nuclear industry share joint strategy to develop education and training platforms to sustain the UAE civil nuclear energy program for the future .
Today, at a conference hosted by the Government of Abu Dhabi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, representatives of the UAE nuclear industry communicated their strategy and plans to address human resource and capacity development for the UAE’s civil nuclear program.
The International Conference on Human Resource Development for Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes, which opened on Monday, has welcomed some 300 international delegates to Abu Dhabi, with the support of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC); the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR); and the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR).
According to initial estimates, the nuclear program will need an estimated 2300 employees by 2020. Ali Al Zaabi, ENEC Director of the Program Management Office, outlined how the three organizations – ENEC, FANR, and KUSTAR – are working together across education, training , and recruitment to ensure that the nuclear program’s human resource needs are met at every stage of its development.
“The cooperation that exists here is central to the UAE’s civil nuclear power program. It is an aspect of our program development that we believe may hold promise for other countries embarking upon nuclear energy programs, ” Al Zaabi said. “In one sense, this common mission is about building the staff necessary for the various pieces of the program over time. But, the leadership of our country understands that a well-run nuclear power program will provide more than electricity – it will also provide opportunity in the form of jobs and careers for young women and men. “
In a panel discussion, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Interim President of KUSTAR, shared elements of the UAE’s strategy to support the nuclear program’s human resource needs from now until the first nuclear plan is operational in 2017, and beyond.
“Abu Dhabi is making substantial investments in higher education, particularly in engineering and science, to develop the human capacity to accomplish the planned transition from now until the nuclear plants are operational,” Dr. Al Hammadi said. “ We want to encourage continued education to ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent and engage the global nuclear business community to infuse existing expertise into the UAE civil nuclear program.”
The conference, which runs until March 18, will cover discussions on the role of industry and educational institutions, as well as key learnings and best practice in human resource development, and promoting human resource development for women and the next generation of leaders.
For more information on the conference or the UAE’s nuclear energy program, please visit http://www.iaea.org/ and http://www.enec.gov.ae/
