Carving a niche for Qatar in nuclear technology studies and research, a faculty member of Qatar University (QU) has been selected to a prestigious position at the World Nuclear University (WNU). Prof Ilham Al Qaradawi, QU Associate Professor of Nuclear Physics, has become a member of the Advisory Committee of the WNU School of Radioisotopes (RI School).
WNU, started in 2003, is a global partnership of four founding supporters — International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-NEA), World Nuclear Association (WNA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) — and a network of the world’s leading institutions of nuclear learning in some thirty countries. The university is committed to enhancing international education and leadership in the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology. Dr Al Qaradawi has been lecturing at WNU’s Summer Institute (SI) for the last three years.
“The SI concentrates on power applications of nuclear technology. It was felt that a similar school on non-power applications of nuclear energy might be useful. WNU consulted me and several experts on the feasibility of the school. The idea was supported strongly since there are more countries that use nuclear technology for medical and industrial needs, than those who produce electricity from nuclear sources,” said Dr Al Qaradawi.
The annual SI is one manifestation of WNU’s global partnership. The SI is open to about 100 WNU Fellows from around the world.
They are selected from among promising nuclear professionals who demonstrate strong leadership potential.
After many discussions the school was sanctioned. The WNU chose 10 specialists from around the world to form an advisory committee to prepare the curriculum and plan the method of teaching.
Dr Al Qaradawi (pictured) participated in the committee’s first conference call last June and attended its second meeting on August 3 in Oxford, UK where members identified curriculum topics and prospective expert speakers. RI is a three-week training programme aimed at younger professionals currently involved in, or soon to be engaged in, managerial roles in RI production and application.
The first annual RI School will take place from May 15 to June 4, 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. It will be hosted by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, with special support provided by the IAEA and the World Council on Isotopes. The School will be open to around 80 professionals expected to play key roles in the RI field.
“I am very proud to be part of this international committee of experts and to have the opportunity to collaborate on an event of such global importance.”
She expressed the hope that QU would host one or both of the schools in future. “This would significantly benefit our faculty and students as well as individuals and companies in the wider Qatar community who are employed in such fields as the medicine, engineering and oil and gas sectors where this type of training is very relevant and necessary.”
A non-profit corporation, WNU pursues its educational and leadership-building mission through programmes organised by the WNU Coordinating Centre in London.
Dr Al Qaradawi had led Qatar into collaboration with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research for the Big Bang research late last year.
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