A three-day International Seminar on the Human Resources Development in the Field of Nuclear Security was opened in the Large Conference Hall of UNWE. The Forum was organized by the National and Regional Security Department with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency /IAEA/ - Vienna, International Network for Nuclear Security Training, Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the UNWE Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Statty Stattev, Dr. Khammar Mrabit, Director of the Nuclear Security Directorate at the IAEA, H.E. Ambassador Svetoslav Spassov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the UN, OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna, Guido Gluschke, Chairman of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training, Prof. Dr. Hristo Parvanov, Dean of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Head of the National and Regional Security Department, representatives of the National Assembly, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Regulatory Agency, etc.

At the opening of the Forum. From the  right to the left: H. E. Svetoslav Spassov, Dr. Khammar Mrabit, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, moderator of the event, Prof. Statty Stattev, Prof. Hristo Parvanov, Prof. Guido Gluschke

Welcome to UNWE - the largest and oldest economic university in Bulgaria", were the welcoming words by Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Statty Stattev to the participants in the International Seminar. The Rector reminded that in June 2014 a Cooperation Agreement between the IAEA and the UNWE for education and research in the field of nuclear security had been signed with the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. ”As a result of the agreement we have developed a Master's degree programme in Economics of Defence and Security with specialisation in Nuclear Security“, specified the Rector and pointed out that the Master's degree programme was implemented with the support of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and several Bulgarian and international institutions, including BAS, King's College London, Middlebury Institute of International Studies and James Martin Centre for Disarmament Studies.

Prof. Stattev and Dr. Mrabit are opening the Seminar

"On the basis of the signed Cooperation Agreement between the IAEA and the UNWE, our colleagues, who took part in the development of the programme, successfully passed training courses in nuclear security in the USA, Indonesia, Morocco and Bulgaria”, added the Rector. 

In the Large Conference Hall

Prof. Stattev referred to the presentation of the new Master's degree programme at the Forums of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training in Vienna during the current year and announced the proposal of Dr. Khammar Mrabit to organize practical courses to the programme. The Rector specified that the objective of Master's degree programme is to prepare highly qualified middle management level executives for the demands of the nuclear industry. “This workshop, hosted by our University, is a starting point, here opportunities and tools for human resources development in the complex field of nuclear security will be discussed and identified in line with the IAEA requirements and best practices. I am convinced that the participation of distinguished speakers, highly qualified experts, diplomats and executives is a guarantee for fruitful discussions on the most challenging and pressing issues related to the human resources development in the field of nuclear security”, pointed out Prof. Statty Stattev.

The Rector /on the right/ is presenting the objectives of Master's degree programme

“The IAEA programme includes many activities related to the theme of the Seminar, it provides professional development opportunities in the field of nuclear security”, pointed out Dr. Khammar Mrabit in his greeting to the participants in the event. He expressed his contentment with the opening of the new Master's degree programme at the UNWE and the fruitful cooperation between the University and the IAEA. The Head of the Nuclear Security Directorate at the IAEA expressed his thankfulness for the effective work done by the Rector Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Statty Stattev and the Head of National and Regional Security Department Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and outlined that the educational opportunities provided by the new Master's degree programme are a significant contribution to the development of nuclear security and the prevention of nuclear terrorism.

Dr. Khammar Mrabit

The Rector Prof. Statty Stattev awarded to Dr. Khammar Mrabit the commemorative medal "Prof. Stefan Bobchev - Founder and First Rector of UNWE" "for strengthening the cooperation between the UNWE and the IAEA and for the support to the UNWE International Master's Degree Programme in Nuclear Security" /in the picture below/.

“The education in the field of nuclear energy is extremely important”, pointed out Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Kiril Stoychev who welcomed the participants in the Seminar on behalf of the President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. Stefan Vodenicharov. “This training is strategic, it should be considered not only to the scientific field but also to the national policies and strategies”, pointed out Prof. Stooychev.

Проф. Стойчев (в средата) приветства участниците в семинара

“The seminar is an example of the fruitful and multilateral cooperation between the UNWE and the IAEA and the human resources are a key factor in the development of nuclear security”, outlined Ambassador Svetoslav Spassov. According to his words, the signed agreement between the two institutions as well as the University's membership in the International Network for Nuclear Security Training are a basis for pride and contentment.

Ambassador Spassov /on the left/

“We, from the government majority make every possible effort to extend the life of the 5th and 6th reactors of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant”, pointed out Alexander Nenkov, member of Parliament and member of the Energy Committee to the National Assembly. He also outlined that the state looks for an opportunity to expand the nuclear capacity by building the 7th reactor of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. “There is an idea to create a Bulgarian nuclear cluster Kozloduy which will unite the state enterprises and private companies in the nuclear energy sector and will support to prepare professionals in the field.

Alexander Nenkov /in the middle/

Emil Bonev from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency outlined some important issues of prevention against nuclear terrorism, improvement of the system for protection of sites with sources of radioactive radiation, projects in the field of nuclear security, international cooperation in the field, etc.

The work of the International Seminar will continue in the next two days.