Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) and the Vienna based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has signed an agreement or “Practical Arrangements”, to establish an e-Learning Portal.

This on-line resource and learning website provides materials that supplement classroom studies in the UAE and the region.

Under the terms of this agreement KUSTAR will cooperate with the IAEA to establish an e-Learning Portal at KUSTAR. The new e-Learning Portal recently launched its pilot operation, at the KUSTAR Abu Dhabi campus. The web portal contributes towards the United Arab Emirates’ effort to educate the experts needed to drive and sustain the nation’s peaceful nuclear power program.

The signing ceremony was attended by Hamad Ali Al Ka’abi, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of UAE and Prof. Tod Laursen, KUSTAR President. Representing IAEA was Yury A. Sokolov, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy. Other attendees also included, Abdulhamid Nassouri, Executive Commercial Director, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENCE), Dr. William Travers, Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) President Yang Myhung-seung.

Commenting on the new agreement, Prof. Tod Laursen, President, KUSTAR, said “We at KUSTAR are committed to the role we play in human capacity building in the United Arab Emirates and on this occasion, specifically, in the areas of nuclear engineering, science and technology. At KUSTAR we have prioritised multidisciplinary teaching that endeavours to produce well rounded graduates, who are not only specialists in their field but equipped with practical skill-set and international awareness.” Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at IAEA, Yury A. Sokolov remarked: “For the UAE, human resource development is becoming an increasingly important strategic consideration since the country has embarked upon its first peaceful nuclear power programme. KUSTAR will play a vital role as a strategic partner in the development of human resources required for this program.”