Argentina´s Balseiro Institute, the second in South America, on Wednesday became the IAEA´s 14th Collaborating Centre, increasing the Agency´s capacity to deliver nuclear training and education in Latin America.
"We are honoured to invite you join our network of Collaborating Centres, which represent the Agency as world class training and research centres worldwide," said Werner Burkart, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Sciences and Applications.
Speaking during the hand-over of a plaque celebrating the partnership, Burkart said training of specialists in nuclear technologies is the first step to ensure not only that these technologies will be available to address the specific needs of a country, but that their adoption and use will follow appropriate procedures for public safety.
With interests in nuclear technologies growing worldwide, the IAEA is relying more and more on a network of world renowned nuclear research and education institutions to assist the IAEA in implementing a variety of activities, including regional and international trainings and fellowships. In partnership with these institutions, called Collaborating Centres, for the past five years the IAEA has increased its capacity to host regional programmes, as well as to promote cooperation among countries.
A Collaborating Centre may be invited to participate in the Collaborating Centre scheme, having proven the quality of its programme for at least two years through formal cooperation with the IAEA in technical projects. A partnership that entails a combined work plan on human resource development for nuclear technologies and their applications, the title of Collaborating Centre is awarded for four years, and may be renewed pending a performance review. The agreement holds no financial commitment for either party.
"The Balseiro Institute has been given a vote of confidence. This collaboration recognizes that we are a world leader in the nuclear area, and that we can make a difference in the world," said Eugenio Maria Curia, Argentina´s Ambassador to Austria and the IAEA.
Founded in 1955, the Balseiro Institute is located in the northern Argentinian city of Bariloche; it operates under Argentina´s National Atomic Energy Commission. Some IAEA Collaborating Centres include the Centro de Investigación en Contaminación Ambiental (CICA), in Costa Rica, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA), and the Atomic Energy Agency of Syria.
For more information on Collaborating Centres, please refer to:
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/na/ccentres.html.