ENEC Celebrates Graduation Of 64 Energy Pioneers
12.11.15
New graduates set to become pioneers of the UAE’s nuclear energy sector
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) yesterday celebrated the graduation of 64 students who have successfully completed specialized courses in nuclear energy from various institutions in the UAE and abroad such as Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University and North Carolina State University.
The ceremony was attended by ENEC’s CEO, H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Dr. Ahmed Al Awar, Director, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Dr. Todd Laursen, President of Khalifa University and Shaima Al Mansoori, Director of Education and Training at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) who delivered congratulatory speeches to the students, their families, and other guests.
“Developing a highly-skilled Emirati workforce to lead the UAE’s pioneering nuclear energy program has been a priority from the very beginning. Nuclear energy professionals require specific engineering and scientific capabilities, an unswerving commitment to safety and quality, and extensive training - not only to gain their qualifications but throughout their entire careers,” said H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi.
“Congratulations to our talented graduates who have demonstrated great diligence, commitment and passion for their chosen career paths in an industry that is not only a strategic contributor to the future growth of the UAE, but also plays a critical role in the future social and economic growth of our nation.”
During the event guests also heard a speech by Fahad Al Hammadi, one of this year’s successful Higher Diploma Nuclear Technology (HDNT) graduates of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic. The students received their graduation certificates as they are now official graduates of ENEC’s Energy Pioneers program. The Energy Pioneers program was established to ensure a pipeline of Emirati talent for the future of the UAE’s nuclear energy program. It aims to attract the best and brightest science students, engineering graduates and experienced professionals and train them to become leaders in the UAE’s growing nuclear energy sector.
The Energy Pioneers will have an important role in the success of the nuclear energy program in the UAE, where they will receive training of the highest international standards by the industry’s leading global experts. To date, ENEC has awarded scholarships to more than 420 Emirati nationals in a range of programs.
By 2020, ENEC will need approximately 2500 employees to power the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program and over 60 per cent of these roles will be filled by talented Emirati women and men, such as the students who have just graduated. To meet that target, ENEC offers a series of scholarships opportunities through its Energy Pioneers program.
The HDNT, bachelors and masters courses are offered by ENEC through the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Khalifa University and other international institutions. Through the courses, students benefit from hands-on, high-tech training and practical experience. In the third year of the HDNT course, students specialize in their preferred job stream, ranging from Nuclear Reactor Operator, Instrumentation & Control Technologist, Mechanical Technologist, Chemistry Technologist, Electrical Technologist or Radiation Protection Technologist. At the end of the program, students graduate with a diploma, as well as a Job Qualification Certificate (JQC).
The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 6 Masters, 25 Bachelors and 33 HDNT students who will all go on to be part of the ENEC team.
Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (Barakah NPP) will eventually consist of four nuclear power generating units, safely housed in two plants, with a combined capacity of approximately 5,600 MW. Barakah Unit 1 is now more than 78% complete, Unit 2 almost 56% complete, and construction of the overall Units 1 to 4 program now 52% complete.
In 2017, ENEC’s first 1,400 MW Unit is scheduled for completion. Additional units will follow at twelve monthly intervals, with the fourth unit set to commence commercial operations in 2020, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.