The UAE’s Khalifa University of Science and Technology on 2 September signed a collaborative research agreement with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) to advance nuclear safety research and training future nuclear workers. This will enable FANR and Khalifa University to continue joint work on the Advanced Thermal-hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation Project Phase 2 (Atlas-2), which is led by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and which has a budget of €3.0 million ($3.5 million). Atlas-2 addresses thermal-hydraulic safety and accident management issues in light water reactors. It is a follow-up to the Atlas project carried out between 2014 and 2017 by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. The project is supported by safety organisations and industry in Belgium, Czech Republic, China, France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UAE and USA and runs until September 2020.
FANR has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to strengthen cooperation in various scientific, training and vocational areas, in addition to exchanging expertise. It will also increase cooperation in research areas, and in the preparation and development of legislation and regulations related to radioactive material in the environment.
