JEDDAH: All preparations have been made for the Kingdom’s first international symposium on the peaceful use of nuclear technology in Gulf countries, which will be held at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah Nov. 3-5.
Mohammed Subian Al-Johani, head of the event’s organizing committee and dean of KAU’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, said 50 renowned nuclear scientists and experts from across the world, including the United States, Russia, China, Canada, France, Germany and Japan, have confirmed their participation.
He said around 50 studies and working papers, which are to be discussed during the sessions, have been received and translated. “This in itself is a wealth of knowledge,” he added.
Al-Johani said the scientific committee has carefully revised and approved the papers that will be presented by the participants who also include members of many nuclear agencies.
He added that a number of ministers from the GCC countries are expected to participate in the symposium.
According to Al-Johani, the tentative program of the opening ceremony includes a speech by Mohamed El-Baradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to be read out on his behalf by Peter Saleema, a senior IAEA official.
He added that the program also includes short speeches by Minister of Higher Education Khaled Al-Anqari, KAU President Osama Tayeb, Dean of KAU’s Faculty of Engineering Faisal Iskanderani, and representative of the European Union Luis Martin-Oar.
Al-Johani said participants would listen to the experiences of countries such as Egypt, the Czech Republic, Chile and others in the domain of nuclear technology. Local and international companies will exhibit their products and services on the sidelines of the event.
