Khalifa University Concludes Fifth Gulf Nuclear Energy Symposium with Signing of MOU

Khalifa University Fifth Gulf Nuclear Energy Symposium

Khalifa University concluded yesterday the fifth annual Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) Symposium with the graduation of 21 new fellows, as well as the signing of an important memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Khalifa University, Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University’s Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute.

The new MOU represents the continuation of collaboration between the organizations, whose joint efforts have seen 99 GNEII fellows from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan graduate from the program since 2011, with a deep understanding of nuclear safeguards, security and safety.

The agreement between Khalifa University, Sandia and Texas A&M will see the sharing of expertise in nuclear energy systems and programs, radiation and environmental modelling, nuclear energy infrastructure development, nuclear security, nuclear safety and security curriculum development and information on nuclear infrastructure development in the Gulf/Middle East.

The graduation was witnessed by His Excellency, Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, The permanent representative of the UAE to the IAEA, Her Excellency, Barbara Leaf, United States Ambassador to the UAE, Anne Harrington, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation for the US National Nuclear Security Administration, in addition to Dr. Tod Laursen, Khalifa University’s President and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Khalifa University’s Executive Vice President.

The symposium also acted as an opportunity for graduating fellows who work at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) and other industry-related organizations to share their research results and network with experts from around the world. Some of the research shared included an evaluation of cosmic rays doses in the UAE, the neutron activation of living insects for safety and security applications, and an investigation into the possible impact of linguistic diversity at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

“We are pleased with the success of the GNEII program over the past five years and we are looking forward to entering the second stage of collaboration with our partners, Sandia and Texas A&M,” said Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University and Chairman of the GNEII Steering Committee. “I’m confident that this innovative program will continue to grow and attract the brightest minds in nuclear engineering from around the region and the world, while supporting the countries goals for safe and secure nuclear energy in the UAE. Khalifa University is dedicated to ensuring that our wise leaderships vision for sustainable energy is achieved, and GNEII is part of that commitment.”