Khalifa University and GNEII Perspective and Initiatives to Engage
Scientists and Engineers in Nuclear Security and to Promote Security
Culture
Alexander A. Solodov
Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research
PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
alexander.solodov@kustar.ac.ae
Abstract
This presentation will discuss the current status and future initiatives of Khalifa University academic
programs and Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII). The goal of the first is educating and
training future workforce for UAE’s nuclear energy program and building a strong research and
development capacity in all areas of nuclear engineering including strong emphasis on nuclear security
and safeguards. GNEII’s was established as a regionally based institute to develop a responsible nuclear
energy culture and institutionalize key safety, security, and safeguards (3S) norms in the future decisionmakers of Gulf-region nuclear energy programs through professional development and training.
Historical perspective of programs’ development will be presented together with plans for future
development and creating a strong foundation for regional education, training and research, engaging
scientists and engineers in nuclear security and safeguards, and promoting security and safeguards
culture in the region.
Introduction
Growing number of countries starting nuclear power and research programs around the world is
bringing nuclear security to the forefront of many world leader’s agenda. With the increasing
importance of nuclear security, education in high quality education is also becoming increasingly
important.
This paper describes the steps that are being taken by the Khalifa University in the UAE to provide
education in the areas of nuclear security, safeguards and safety. Particular attention is given to the Gulf
Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute, a regional educational, training, and research hub for promoting
a nuclear safety, safeguards, and security culture.
Khalifa University Nuclear Engineering Program
Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) was established on 13 February 2007
by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE. The university was
created on the basis of Etisalat University College. The mission for the newly established university was
set “to become an independent, non-profit, multi-cultural, co-educational institution dedicated to the
advancement of learning through teaching and research and to the discovery and application of
knowledge”.
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As the UAE had started a nuclear energy program a Department of Nuclear Engineering was established
at KUSTAR to create and foster human resource in all areas related to the nuclear infrastructure. The
structure of M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering program is shown in Fig. 1. Students can choose their track out
of several themes including “Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Security”. In the future this theme is planned to be
converted into a “Nuclear Safeguards and Security” focused more on security subjects. Additional
courses in nuclear nonproliferation, international safeguards and physical protection will be created.
It is also important to note KUSTAR offers an M.A. degree in International and Civil Security. This is a
more policy oriented program focusing on historical and policy aspects of security including, of course,
nuclear security. Both programs are working closely together to provide both technical and policy
knowledge and understanding to the students of both programs.
Fig. 1. KUSTAR M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering Course Plan.
Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII)
GNEII is another important initiative dedicated to fostering the new generation of nuclear industry
leaders in the UAE and in the Gulf region. GNEII is not a degree-granting institution it is intended to
educate people who already work in the nuclear or nuclear-related industry and provide them with a
better understanding of issues associated with peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also to promote an
integrated approach to safety, security and safeguards.
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GNEII goals are formulated as following:
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Establish GNEII as a regional educational, training, and research hub for promoting a nuclear
safety, safeguards, and security culture;
Maintain regional relevancy among participating Middle East states demonstrated by regular
participation by students from regional states and membership on the GNEII Advisory Council by
regional state representatives;
Establish an indigenously sustainable educational institute by transitioning operational
ownership of GNEII to Khalifa University and a majority of educational duties to regional
instructors.
The GNEII was a product of strategic partnerships between several sponsors and educational
organizations from the United States and the United Arab Emirates. From the United States the main
initiators and sponsors were the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the
U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) and the Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS) of the
U.S. Department of State (DOS). Training materials and expertise were developed by specialists from
Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University. Khalifa University is hosting GNEII and is now in
the process of transitioning some of the instruction responsibilities to its faculty. Very important role is
also played by the major stakeholders in the UAE – Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Federal
Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority.
The primary design components of GNEII (education, research, technical capability) are illustrated in Fig.
2. GNEII’s flagship element, to date, has been the development of the GNEII Fundamentals Course. This
basic block of instruction provides the comprehensive backbone for the rest of GNEII’s activities. The
topics covered in this Fundamentals Course provide a wide technical foundation upon which additional
research and other collaborative projects in nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
Fig. 2. GNEII Structure.
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Research and technical capability are developed in close collaboration with KUSTAR by building technical
and intellectual capabilities for collaborative research projects in nuclear safety, security, and
safeguards. In the immediate term, GNEII is joining efforts with Khalifa University to develop a
technology demonstration area. As this area grows, one potential future goal is further integration of
“3S” technologies with the simulation and laboratory capabilities developed for Khalifa University’s
nuclear engineering M.Sc. program [1,2,3].
Currently, GNEII institute is 3 years old. Organizers are continuously working on improving the quality of
education and developing sustainability model for GNEII. From the beginning GNEII was co-sponsored by
the US and UAE. US Agencies were providing experts and curriculum development and for delivery of
material to fellows. The process of transitioning responsibilities to KUSTAR has started now, next year
GNEII Faculty Coordinator will be a KUSTAR faculty member. Some of the teaching responsibilities will
also be taken over by faculty of Khalifa University with support from the US experts.
Fig. 3. May 2013 GNEII Graduation.
According to its mission GNEII is continuously expanding regionally. If the first Fundamentals Course had
10 fellows (all from the UAE), the next two course were attended by participants from Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. In Fig. 3 the latest graduating class is shown together with representatives of
the US and UAE stakeholders.
Conclusions
In the light of developing nuclear energy program in the UAE, Khalifa University has established a robust
nuclear engineering program for developing next generation of human resource. Education in the areas
of nuclear safety, security and safeguards is a significant part of this effort. An existing Nuclear Fuel
Cycle and Security theme within the M.Sc. program is being expanded to include more subjects in
nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards and security. Another significant accomplishment is establishing
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GNEII institute – a regional educational hub for promotion of “3S” education among future leaders of
the nuclear industry. Currently the main activity of GNEII is an annual Fundamentals course. Recently
the third such course was completed, graduating 20 new fellows from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
References
1. D. R. Boyle, A. H. Mohagheghi, A. D. Williams, “GNEII - Instilling Global Standards for Nuclear
Safety, Security, and Safeguards in Developing Countries”
2. A. D. Williams, P. A. Beeley, D. R. Boyle, A. H. Mohagheghi, A. Nilsen, “Gulf Nuclear Energy
Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) Overview and Status Update”
3. A. D. Williams, A. M. Al-Madhloum, P. A. Beeley, B.K. Kim, D. R. Boyle, M. Schuller, F. Ghanbari,
A. H. Mohagheghi, “Implementation and Expansion of the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure
Institute (GNEII)”
4. G. Hofstede, G. J. Hofstede, M. Minkov, “Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind,
Third Edition”, McGraw Hill Professional, May 3, 2010.
5. IAEA Nuclear Security Series 7, “Nuclear Security Culture, Implementing Guide”, Vienna 2008
6. “Nuclear Security for Scientist and Engineers”, a WINS International Best Practice Guide, World
Institute for Nuclear Security, 2012.
7. I. Khripunov, “Nuclear Renaissance and Security Culture”, IFANS Review, Vol.18, No.2, December
2010.
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