2 Emirati Students Gain Nuclear Recognition in US Conference

American Nuclear Society conference 2013

Two Emirati students have presented research papers to more than 600 students and professionals at the American Nuclear Society conference in the United States.

The master’s students in nuclear engineering from Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi presented their initial research findings at the conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in April.

Amal Salah bin Hraiz’s paper on “3D full core calculations of Westinghouse AP1000 using WIMS/PARCS/SNAP code system” and Mouza Abdullah Alhebsi’s “Numerical investigation on the dissolution of a light gas stratification in a safety containment model” were selected for the conference by a panel of reviewers from the American Nuclear Society, after assessing hundreds of submissions.

“We are very pleased that our students had the opportunity to present their work at such an important international conference, in front of their peers, industry and academic leaders,” said Dr Philip Beeley, the professor of practice and chair of nuclear engineering at Khalifa University.

“The safe and secure use of nuclear energy is one of the main focuses of the Government of the UAE at the moment; in fact the country just broke ground for the construction of its second nuclear reactor, so to see our students focused on such an important endeavour is very encouraging for the future of the UAE.”

Ms bin Hraiz is working on research in modelling nuclear reactors while Ms Alhebsi is focusing on computational fluid dynamics applications in nuclear reactor safety analysis.

“Khalifa University is dedicated to providing our students with a high quality education and with ample opportunities to meet with industry and academic leaders,” Dr Beeley said. “In this way, we are helping to build the knowledge economy envisioned by the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision.”

Both students are on full scholarships from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) as part of its Energy Pioneers programme. Enec also funded their trip to Mit.

The conference offered the women a chance to learn about the latest nuclear developments, including nuclear engineering, law, nuclear medicine, quantum physics, computer science and thermodynamics.

Ahmed Al Mazrouie, the deputy chief nuclear officer at Enec, said: “Nuclear energy is an industry of critical importance to the future of our nation and we need a large, highly trained and determined team of Emirati women and men to lead the industry forward. We look forward to welcoming them both to Enec when their studies are complete.”