Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dean of the Faculty Economics of Infrastructure Faculty and Head of the National and Regional Security Department, and Chief Assist. Dr. Georgy Penchev from the same Department took part in the Annual Conferences of the International Nuclear Security Education Network /INSEN/ and the Network of Nuclear Security Support Centres /NSSC Network/ in Vienna.

Prof. Dimitrov delivered a presentation on the practical lessons learned during the International Master's degree programme in Nuclear Security implemented by the UNWE.

Prof. Dimitrov during his presentation

The Master's degree programme is developed and implemented within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between the UNWE and the IAEA signed by the Rector Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Statty Stattev and the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano during his visit to Sofia in June 2014. The Coordinator for the implementation of the agreement by the uNWE is Prof. Dimitrov.

The objective of the International Master's Degree Programme is to prepare highly qualified managers for the needs of nuclear security. Its first class includes ten students from seven countries /Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Iraque, Jordan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Zambia/, some of the graduates are IAEA fellows. The Master's Programme is in English, lasts for two years, combines theoretical and practical classes and includes 22 disciplines, laboratory exercises, technical visits, simulations, etc.

More information about the Programme: http://www.unwe.bg/nuclear-security/en

Dr. Georgy Penchev took part in the work of the NSSC Network as well as in the joint sessions of both networks.

The NSSC Network was founded in 2012 in Vienna under the auspices of the IAEA. Its mission is to contribute building the international capacity in nuclear security through cooperation between the centres engaged in training in this field. The main tasks of the network are to achieve high quality nuclear security training and to promote cooperation and exchange between the centres.

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and Chief Assist. Dr.Georgy Penchev in front of the IAEA building

The UNWE as a member of the NSSC Network will represent our country at national and international seminars, conferences and meetings dedicated to nuclear security education. The University will develop nuclear security training programmes, conduct training needs analysis and develop plans in the area of cooperation related to the protection and non-proliferation of nuclear and other radioactive materials, will host national and international events.

In December 2015 the UNWE became the 53rd member of the International Network as a result of the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement between the UNWE and the IAEA establishing the Nuclear Security Support Centre whose Director is Prof. Dimitrov.

The participants in the meeting in Vienna, 22-26 August 2016