RNPP a historic milestone towards energy security: Science and Technň Secretary
Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain on Sunday characterized the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) as a historic milestone toward guaranteeing Bangladesh's long-term energy security, emphasizing the need to cultivate a rigorous safety culture and build high-caliber human resources in the nuclear domain.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration of a four-week Basic Professional Training Course (BPTC) organized by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) in Dhaka.
The Science Secretary highlighted that first criticality at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was successfully achieved on October 11, 2026, and the plant will soon contribute to meeting national electricity demand following grid integration.
"In the nuclear sector, generation is not the final word—operation, regulation, and safety culture are paramount," Md. Anwar Hossain said. "Technology alone cannot guarantee safety; personnel associated with it must be fully trained and vigilant."
He urged young scientists and engineers participating in the course to maximize knowledge transfer from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts. The Secretary also set a target for BAERA to produce three to five world-class regulators annually over the next three to five years who can serve both national and international nuclear facilities.
Addressing the session as a special guest, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Dr. Moinul Islam noted that the BPTC curriculum—developed by the IAEA in 1998—covers fundamental areas such as nuclear physics, radiation protection, reactor design, fuel cycle, waste management, and safety assessment to build technical capability across all operational stages.
Presiding over the ceremony, BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan welcomed IAEA representatives and expressed gratitude for the international body's support in human resource development. He underscored that as Bangladesh expands its peaceful nuclear program, maintaining emergency preparedness and regulatory readiness remains a key national priority.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Abul Khair Md. Akkas Ali and IAEA Technical Officer Rahila Hammad also spoke as special and honored guests, respectively.
The four-week training course (October 18 – November 12, 2026) brings together 40 young scientists and engineers from BAERA, BAEC, and NPCBL. Instruction will be provided by IAEA experts—including Rahila Hammad, Benoit Gabriel, Mehmet Tombakoglu, and Baris Gurnar—alongside senior Bangladeshi nuclear scientists.
