From January 25 to 27, for the first time, a training course was organized for the Senior Management of the nuclear industry organizations in Kazakhstan. The course is aimed at improving and ensuring safety at the facilities working with radioactive materials.
This year, for the first time, the Senior management of the following organizations took part in the Seminar: RSE "Institute of Nuclear Physics" of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Committee for Nuclear and Energy Supervision and Control of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC "NAC Kazatomprom", JSC RSE "National Nuclear Center" of the Republic of Kazakhstan, LLP Ulba-TVS, JSC "Ulba Metallurgical Plant", LLP "MAEK" and the National Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The seminar was organized at the Nuclear Security Training Center at the RSE "Institute of Nuclear Physics" under support of the Committee for Nuclear and Energy Supervision and Control of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the Threat Reduction Agency of the US Department of Defense "Global Nuclear Security".
The training seminar was opened by the General Director of the RSE "Institute of Nuclear Physics" Sakhiyev Sayabek Kuanyshbekovich. In his speech, the General Director welcomed all participants of the seminar and informed about the work and future plans of the institute.
— The Institute of Nuclear Physics has more than 65 years of history. This is the only institute in the nuclear industry that implements a full cycle of research and development works. The Institute performs not only fundamental and applied research, but also involved in production of radioisotopes, both for industry and medicine, in particular for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. 95% of all radiopharmaceuticals in Kazakhstan are produced by our Institute. The Institute also closely cooperates with more than 30 leading international research institutes and universities. In publications, the Institute of Nuclear Physics is confidently in the first place in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Of course, we are not going to stop at our achievements and we will continue to work conscientiously for the prosperity and development of our country.
In his speech, the General Director noted that INP has a very large experience and a base for training personnel in higher and postgraduate education. Therefore, last year a Consortium Agreement was concluded with the Al-Farabi KazNU, which involves training of the personnel for a nuclear power plant at the Institute.
Also, all participants of the Seminar were greeted by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Nuclear and Energy Supervision and Control of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sergazin Gumar Ekpinovich. The Deputy Chairman noted that due to cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States, a lot of joint works have been completed over 30 years.
— The Committee for Nuclear and Energy Supervision and Control of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the authorized body and coordinator of all cooperation programs with the United States. This cooperation was started in 1993, when a framework agreement was signed between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United States. To date, a tremendous amount of works have been completed to provide modernization of nuclear security at nuclear facilities. As a result of cooperation, the Nuclear Security Training Center was opened at the RSE “Institute of Nuclear Physics”
US Consul General in Almaty Caroline Savage, in turn, express the appreciation to Kazakhstan for its partnership and support for the program to reduce the military threat.
— “The leading role of Kazakhstan in nuclear security cannot be overestimated. The United States of America is committed to the safe and responsible use of nuclear technologies and is proud to partner with Kazakhstan, said Consul General.
In the framework of the training course, the participants discussed the issues of security measures, preventing and reducing the threat of an insider, improving the productivity of human resources, understanding the importance of personnel reliability improvement programs. Reviews were given on the basic components and characteristics of a nuclear security culture. An overview of the state of security culture in the UK was provided.
The main task of the seminar is not only to strengthen nuclear security, but also to comply with all standards, - said the organizer Alexander Vasiliev.
— The purpose of this event is to attract the attention of senior officials to comply with all the standards, requirements and recommendations of physical and nuclear security in the nuclear industry organizations. For 8 years, the American side has been making a great contribution to organizing training courses, as well as to strengthening and modernizing physical protection systems in order to comply with norms and requirements during installation and transportation.
The organizers note that activities for improving the culture of nuclear and physical safety/security will be continued in the future.
