The AYGN-KYGN integrated nuclear workshop was a co-located event in the Future Energy East Africa Conference hosted by the Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. The workshop was sponsored by the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) based in Astana, Kazakhstan and Rosatom Africa (SA) and World Nuclear University (UK) as a contributor. The joint opening plenary was graced by Dr. Joseph Njoroge, the host ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Hon. Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda, among other dignitaries in energy sector in the region. In his opening remarks the Permanent Secretary underscored the tremendous steps that the Kenyan government is making to realize reliable power supply as enabler to Kenya’s vision 2030; transitioning the country to middle income economy. On his part, Uganda’s minister of energy elaborated on the robust energy roadmap laid down by Ugandan government to ensure a universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
The conference plenary speakers included senior management representatives from; McKinsey & Company (SA), Eskom Enterprises (SA), Siemens (Kenya) and other key national players in the energy industry. An inspirational keynote on developing East Africa’s Future leaders was delivered by Prof. Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice Chancellor –Research and Innovation – Strathmore University (Kenya).
The integrated workshop provided a platform for different stakeholders to engage and enhance knowledge on best approaches in; Communicating Benefits of Nuclear Science and Technology, Risks and Crisis communication, discuss Nuclear Opportunities and Challenges in Africa, best practices in Nuclear Safety and Security, Nuclear Advocacy and Stakeholders engagement; themes spread over the two days of the workshop. Apart from expert presentations, the workshop incorporated interactive working group sessions where participants had one-on-one interaction with experts deepening their understanding on the subject under discussion. In addition, the participants benefited with nuclear education materials donated by World Nuclear University and Rosatom.
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| Workshop participants pose for a photo outside Ivory Hall, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi| WNU Nuclear Education materials | |
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The prominent speakers and facilitators at the workshop included; Viktor Polikarov – Regional Vice President and Ryan Collyer, Communication Director from ROSATOM Central and Southern Africa; Prof Kamen Velichkov – Senior Program Manager, Diplomatic Advisor, International Science and Technology Centre; Mrs. Marielle Rogie – Director, Belgian Nuclear Forum; Madam Sheriffah Noor Khamseah Al-Idid Binti Dato Syed Ahmad Idid – Innovation & Nuclear Advocate Alumni, Imperial College, University of London, United Kingdom; Mr. Gaopalelwe Santswere, Senior Scientist, Necsa and President, African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN); Mr. Arthur Koteng’ – Deputy CEO, Radiation Protection Board (Kenya), Dr. OTWOMA, Chief Scientist, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Kenya); Senior Staff from Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) among others who co-facilitated the working group sessions during the workshop.
Workshop speakers/Facilitators pose for a photo with AYGN/KYGN leaders after the closing ceremony, 30-11-17
The workshop was a success coming after the successful Inaugural Youth Nuclear Summit held in March, 2017 at the KICC, Nairobi. It is in the interest of AYGN and its national YGNs, with support from key players in the industry especially the partners and collaborators who continue to walk the journey with the young professionals, to take this working relationships a notch higher and open up opportunity frontiers for young people in Africa to learn, share, exchange ideas and network on issues pertinent to the sustainability of the industry.
In this regard, AYGN envisions building on the existing partnership and collaborations with key players in the nuclear industry and invite further support in establishment of sustainable youth mentorship programs in Africa. Through such establishments, world nuclear industry leaders and experts will be converging once every year to share, transfer and disseminate knowledge to the young people in Africa hence building a competent industry personnel to address challenges bedeviling the continent.
Participants in working group on stakeholders engagement during the workshop
Vice President, Rosatom Africa making his closing remarks as workshop came to an end on 30 -11-2017
