First Emirati nuclear engineers graduate

27/10/2014

Around 40 Emirati students are now ready to contribute to the delivery of the U.A.E.'s peaceful nuclear energy programme, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) announced yesterday.

The graduates are the country's first fully qualified nuclear energy engineers, who will be responsible for ensuring the first nuclear energy plant is operated and maintained to the highest standards of safety when it begins operations in 2017.

"Maintenance engineers play an instrumental role in ensuring that all aspects of plant operations are conducted according to the highest standards of safety and security, and we are very proud to welcome these talented young men and women into the Enec team following their extensive training,” Mohammad Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of Enec, said.

The 40 Emirati students graduated as part of Enec's human capital development programme, Energy Pioneers, following the completion of an 18-month specialised training programme, with 10 months conducted by Enec at facilities rented from the Institute of Applied Technology in Abu Dhabi and the other eight months in South Korea.

The graduates are now part of the team who will manage operational safety across Enec's mechanical, electrical, instrumental and control divisions, and oversee the day-to-day maintenance for the organisation's first nuclear plant, which is more than 59 per cent complete and on track to connect to the grid in 2017.

Emiratis interested in exploring a challenging and rewarding career with the U.A.E.'s nuclear energy programme can visit www.enec.gov.ae for more information about the programme and scholarship opportunities.