JEDDAH - Nearly 50 renowned nuclear scientists and experts from across the world, including the United States, Russia, China, Canada, France, Germany and Japan, are to take part in Saudi Arabia's first international symposium on the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the Gulf countries, which will be held at King Abdul Aziz University (KAAU) here from November 3 to 5.| Oh goody, let's give the Magic Kingdom nukes, what could possibly go wrong ... |
Mohammed Subian Al-Johani, head of the event's organising committee and dean of KAAU's department of nuclear engineering, said all preparations have been made for the event. He said that 50 studies and working papers, which are to be discussed during the sessions, have been received and translated. "This in itself is a wealth of knowledge," he added.
He explained that the scientific committee has carefully revised and approved the papers that will be presented by the participants who also include members of many nuclear agencies.
According to Al Johani, the tentative programme of the opening ceremony includes a speech by Mohamed El Baradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to be read out on his behalf by Peter Saleema, a senior IAEA official.
He said that the programme also includes speeches by Minister of Higher Education Khaled Al Anqari, KAAU President Osama Tayeb, Dean of the university's Faculty of Engineering Faisal Iskanderani, and representative of the European Union Luis Martin-Oar. Al Johani said participants would listen to the experiences of countries such as Egypt, the Czech Republic, Chile and others in the domain of nuclear technology.