Student challenge to find power in nuclear energy

A competition to encourage secondary school pupils to consider the peaceful and practical uses of nuclear energy was launched in Vienna, Austria, yesterday.

The National Nuclear Science for Development Student Competition was announced by the UAE’s permanent mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency and will be held with the co-operation of the Ministry of Education, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.

Pupils aged between 14 and 18 will team up to submit proposals about the role of nuclear science in improving human health, the environment and water resources, and in generating clean energy.

Each category corresponds to a UN Sustainable Development Goal, which the UAE adopted in 2015.

“The Government places top priority on empowering our young people and building their capability to lead the future,” said Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative at the IAEA.

“The competition objective is to promote nuclear science and to strengthen the sense of responsibility among the youth.”

Proposals can be submitted online before September 30. Nine semi-finalist teams then face a second round when they will present their projects to a jury, on October 31.

All semi-finalists can visit the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

The winning team will be announced on November 7 and invited to attend the two-day International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Applications, at the IAEA from November 28.

The pupils will go on field trips, including one to the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf, 38 kilometres from Vienna. They will learn about nuclear science and its applications in other countries, and hear from politicians, as well as discuss nuclear applications with fellow pupils from across the globe.