New academic and training partnership will support the development of the next generation of nuclear energy leaders in UAE
Abu Dhabi - The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Polytechnicon a joint vocational training program thatwill be instrumental in developinga skilled Emirati workforce to support the UAE's burgeoning nuclear energy industry.
The agreement was signed by Mohammed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC and Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director at the Institute of Applied Technology, on behalf of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Al Awar, Director of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and a number of senior officials from each party. The partnership reinforces both parties' ongoing commitment to the development of UAE national talent.
Under the new MoU, ENEC and AD Polytechnicwill collaborate on a customizednuclear energy curriculum for students of ENEC's Energy Pioneers scholarship program. The program aims to address the specific knowledge areas required to meet the needs of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy program, while creating opportunities for talented Emiratis to play a critical role in the delivery of the project.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC said at the ceremony: "We have been working with AD Polytechnic since 2012 and we will continue our close cooperation. Nurturing the next generation of nuclear energy leaders in the UAE is one of ENEC's top priorities, and this MoU consolidates our relationship with AD Polytechnic, helping us to achieve this goal. ENEC will require more than 2,500 employees by 2020, with a target to have 60 percent of this made up of Emiratis. Together with Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, we aim to provide the best and brightest UAE nationals with the training and opportunities needed to become part of an industry that is crucial to the country's continued growth."
"At Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, we are working to actively contribute to the development of a knowledge-based economy in the UAE by training our nation's youth in specialist technology fields," Said Dr. Abdullatif Al-Shamsi, Managing Director at Institute of Applied Technology. "Our partnership with ENEC will help prepare ambitious Emiratis for rewarding careers in the country's future nuclear energy sector."
Dr. Ahmed Alawar Director of AD Polytechnic, said: "The cooperation between ENEC and AD Polytechnic started with the development of the Higher Diploma in Nuclear Technology (HDNT) program three years ago. Since that time, both entities have achieved severalaccomplishments; with 17students already graduated from the program and a total number of 270 enrolled in the program. This program offers students a combination of theoretical education and practical experience to prepare them for technical careers at the UAE's nuclear energy plants.
Alawar added: "Anew program called Applied Bachelor's in Information Security Engineering Technology (ABISET), is now launched for students This program will enable students to become IT professionals guiding ENEC on cyber security and secure information & communication systems.ENEC will also provide students from the program with specialist on-the-job training at its facilities in Barakah, Upon completion of their studies,graduates will also go on to join the team at ENEC, working to deliver safe, clean and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE by 2017".
ENEC's Human Capacity Development program, Energy Pioneers, aims to attract and train the country's most talented science students, engineering graduates and experienced professionals and provide them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the UAE's emerging nuclear energy sector. It offers a range of scholarship programs, specialist training, ongoing professional development and career opportunities.
ENEC is committed to providing safe, reliable, clean and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE and is leading the construction of the country's first nuclear energy plants in Barakah, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
A total of four nuclear energy plants will be constructed by 2020, pending regulatory approvals. The first two plants are already under construction and are now more than 45% complete, with the first plant scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2017, pending further regulatory approvals.
To find out more about the Energy Pioneers program, visit www.enec.gov.ae, call us on (800 3632) or email us at info@enec.gov.ae.
-Ends-
About ENEC
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) is working to deliver safe, clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy to the United Arab Emirates - energy that is needed to support the UAE's social and economic growth.
Established by decree in December 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, ENEC specializes in the deployment, ownership and operation of civil nuclear energy plants within the UAE, with a mission to deliver electricity to the UAE grid in 2017.
Driven by a Culture of Safety, ENEC's overriding priority is ensuring the safety of the UAE community, employees and the environment.
For more information, visit www.enec.gov.ae
Media Contact: media@enec.gov.ae
© Press Release 2014
