By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 15 Apr 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) is set to produce the necessary manpower needed to run a nuclear plant safely in the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding was inked here today between UKM and the Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation (KNA) to enable UKM to produce the necessary manpower required to run a nuclear plant.

With the signing UKM is poised to offer postgraduate programmes in Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Energy by 2015 and thus help to prepare the competent manpower with the right exposure needed by a nuclear power plant.

The tie up with KNA enables UKM students to have access to technical know-how in building and operating a nuclear plant from the Korean nuclear industry. KNA is a Korean Nuclear Association that represents 12 construction companies and various other companies involved in nuclear technology.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Ir Dr Riza Atiq Abdullah OK Rahmat who signed the MOU for UKM said, the university will be able to produce graduates needed by the industry should Malaysia decide to go with nuclear power within this decade.

President of KNA Mr Hong Jun Ahn the who signed the MOU for KNA said they have a very high regard for UKM and are very grateful to be given the opportunity to play a role in nurturing the manpower required for nuclear plants.

He said nuclear energy has helped boost Korea’s economy and making it become an energy power house. It has since worked with other countries to help build nuclear power plants one of whom is the United Arab Emirates. Korea is set to become the 3^rd largest nuclear power exporter by 2030.

Also present at the signing ceremony was Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Prof Dr Shahrim Hj Ahmad and members of KNA delegation.