By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Namibia is enhancing its
institutional capacity to develop a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear
industry following the participation of the National Commission on Research,
Science and Technology (NCRST) in a nuclear industry development seminar in
China.
The seminar, held in the
People’s Republic of China, brought together Namibian participants and Chinese
experts from government, academia, research institutions and industry to share
knowledge and experiences on nuclear industry development.
NCRST was represented by
Senior Programme Officer Dr. Mutalipula Siyengwa-Muchila.
The programme covered
nuclear industry development, nuclear power planning, electricity-grid
integration, nuclear safety, human resource development, public communication,
international cooperation and the peaceful applications of nuclear science and
technology.
Participants were also
exposed to the importance of long-term planning, effective institutional and
regulatory frameworks, specialised skills development and sustained public
engagement in establishing a viable nuclear programme.
As part of the programme,
the Namibian delegation undertook technical and field visits in Beijing,
Hainan, Jiaxing and Shanghai. The visits included exposure to
radiopharmaceutical production and irradiation technologies at Atom High-Tech,
Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology and simulation training at the Hainan
Nuclear Power Base, and the development of China’s nuclear industry at the
Jiaxing Nuclear Power Exhibition Hall.
The delegation also visited
Shanghai Electric, where participants gained insights into nuclear power
equipment manufacturing, production processes and quality assurance practices.
NCRST said the programme
would contribute to strengthening institutional knowledge while creating
opportunities for research and innovation, human capital development, resource
mobilisation, international scientific cooperation and technology transfer.
The knowledge acquired is
also expected to support efforts to promote nuclear science and its peaceful
applications among young Namibians through science fairs, school outreach
programmes and other science engagement initiatives.
Namibia’s substantial
uranium resources and emerging nuclear technologies such as SMRs present
potential opportunities for expanding the country’s scientific and
technological capabilities. Nuclear applications in areas including medicine,
agriculture, water management, industry, environmental monitoring and
scientific research could further contribute to national development.
