The New Nation - Internet Edition

The inaugural ceremony of a three-day-long (02-04 November 2008) FNCA Workshop and Seminar on Human Resources Development (HRD) for Nuclear Power Project (NPP) jointly organized by MEXT, Japan and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) began on November 2 at Dr Anwar Hossain auditorium of BAEC, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Manik Lal Samaddar, Ministry of Science and ICT was present as the chief guest while SM Wahid-uz-Zaman, Secretary as special guest.

The function was presided over by Professor Dr A.M.M. Shafiullah, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

It was attended, among others, by Dr Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, Chairman of BAEC, Dr Farid Uddin Ahmed, Member (Physical Science) and Dr Firoza Akhter, Director, International Affairs Division.

The function was also attended by BAEC scientists, engineers, doctors and professionals from different universities and organizations of the country.

The Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Manik Lal Samaddar and in his inaugural speech said though Bangladesh is a resource constraint country, it has given emphasis on the development of science and technology, specially nuclear science and technology.

Referring to the need of electricity of the country, he mentioned that an ADP project titled "Accomplishment of necessary activities of 1000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Rooppur" has been approved by the government.

He expressed his deep satisfaction and thanks to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for organizing of such an international event in Bangladesh.

He hoped that FNCA would be more fruitful for all member states of the region and certainly for Bangladesh.

The function was addressed among others by SM Wahid-uz-Zaman, Secretary, MOSICT, Takashi Tadokoro, Special Staff, International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division, Research and Development Bureau, Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Dr Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator and Adviser to MEXT of Japan on World Trend and Challenges of Nuclear Energy, Dr Jun Sugimoto, FNCA, Project Leader of Japan on Nuclear Human Resources Development Activities in Japan and its Role in Asia, Dr Vu Dang Ninh, FNCA Project Leader of Vietnam on Role of International Cooperation in Human Resources Development, Dr Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, Chairman of BAEC on Implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Programme: Options, Opportunities and Challenges.

Presidential address was delivered by Prof Dr A.M.M. Shafiullah while welcome address and vote of thanks were given by Dr Farid Uddin Ahmed and Dr Firoza Akhter respectively.

Representatives from ten FNCA member states, such as Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan are attending the workshop.

The purpose of this workshop and the seminar is to discuss the Human Resources Development (HRD) for Nuclear Technology specially for Nuclear Power Programme in Bangladesh. The workshop will also discuss on Asian Nuclear Training and Education Programmes and its progress and future implementation plan.