The IAEA and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) signed agreements in Vienna to support education, training and outreach in the nuclear field, including e-learning capabilities, and to collaborate in promoting nuclear knowledge management in IAEA Member States in the African Region. On 21 September 2012, Mr. Alexander Bychkov, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, and Mr. Albert K. Fiadjoe (Prof. Emeritus), Chairman, GAEC, concluded the Agreement. The African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) Chair, Dr. Mohamed Derdour, also participated in the ceremony.
GAEC, through its School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) at the University of Ghana, will serve as a regional hub for the African region to install and operate an e-learning platform. GAEC will also receive support from the IAEA to foster capacity building initiatives through knowledge transfer between IAEA Member States and to develop material relevant to nuclear education and training.
Nuclear education and training is an indispensable element of human resource development (HRD) and nuclear knowledge management (NKM) to preserve knowledge and transfer it to the young generation, and to secure a qualified workforce for safe and sustainable nuclear development. The IAEA supports its Member States in all aspects of nuclear HRD and NKM under regular programmes, technical cooperation projects and any other available frameworks.
"We believe that GAEC will play a vital role as the regional hub for Africa and the joint efforts in all regions will take them one step further towards creating an interregional nuclear education network in the future," says Alexander Bychkov.
Background
GAEC was established in 1963. The main functions of the Commission include the promotion, development and utilization of the peaceful applications of nuclear and biotechnological techniques for economic and social advancement in Ghana. In pursuing these objectives, the Commission has established institutes and centres which carry out appropriate research activities.
GAEC, through its SNAS at the University of Ghana, provides valuable experience and is recognized by the AFRA as a regional designated centre in professional and higher education in informing, attracting and preparing the younger generation for entering nuclear professions.
AFRA established the AFRA Network for Education in Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA-NEST) in order to implement AFRA strategy in HRD and NKM.