By Wanjala Danson/Contributor
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) and Rosatom are training African nuclear leaders in nuclear sector.
This is after Professional’s nuclear leaders from across Africa gathered in St Petersburg, Russia to discuss insights on nuclear power on the continent and gain an overview of the nuclear sector in the global context.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) international office and Russian nuclear provider, Rosatom, shared their experiences and best practices regarding technical, legal, financial and societal aspects of national nuclear programs.
The course introduced the participants to a range of topics on the use of nuclear energy, such as nuclear infrastructure development, safety culture management, advances in reactor technologies and nuclear knowledge management.
The Joint Rosatom-IAEA NEMS is committed to transferring decades of management experience and knowledge to professionals from countries looking to develop nuclear power.
Scientists and researchers from around the continent agreed that the Nuclear Energy Management School displayed clearly how specific issues in nuclear management should be handled.
Common international practices were shared and infrastructure issues were discussed with the IAEA experts, who provided guidelines and insight on their practical knowledge of actual technical utilization.
The comprehensive theoretical and practical approach that was adopted by the school was greatly appreciated.
Several technical tours were also organized. Participants had an opportunity to visit the construction site of Leningrad NPP 2 (VVER-1200 reactors), investigate the reactor and turbine halls and experience the full-scope simulators of operated and constructed units.
Trainees also visited the Emergency Response Center of Rosatom (St. Petersburg), the full-scope simulator of Floating NPP “Akademik Lomonosov” and the Nuclear Industry Information Center (NIIC) in Saint Petersburg.
Rosatom, apart from joint projects, is committed to preparing more than 300 students from 37 countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia, to take up roles in their local nuclear sectors.
In Russia, 20 special universities have extensive IAEA supported programs specifically aimed at equipping international students to deliver on the benefits of nuclear technology.
In 2016 Russian universities hosted more than 1300 students from 28 countries.
