ALMATY (TCA) — Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), opened its Nuclear Security Training Center (NSTC) on May 12 at a site adjacent to Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics at Alatau, near Almaty.
The training center allows Kazakhstan to train personnel from local, regional, and international nuclear facilities and organizations. It will focus on fundamental and advanced nuclear security topics and provide a venue for discussing best practices, NNSA reported.
“This training center demonstrates the Republic of Kazakhstan’s commitment to nuclear security. Further, it highlights how nations working together can enhance nuclear security worldwide,” said David G. Huizenga, NNSA’s acting deputy administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation.
Kazakhstan announced its intention to establish the NSTC in its national statement at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit. NNSA lent its expertise to the design of the center and supported construction of the facility. NNSA continues to collaborate with the NSTC by assisting with management and operations plans and training NSTC staff in curriculum development and delivery.
The NSTC will train nuclear facility personnel in security disciplines, including physical protection systems, nuclear material accounting and control systems, response forces, and secure transportation.
Kazakhstan is the world’s leading uranium producer and though it does not have an operating nuclear power plant, it does have operating research reactors. It also produces nuclear fuel pellets and has plans to further develop its fuel cycle activities. The country is also to host the low-enriched uranium fuel ‘bank’ – scheduled to open later this year – on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Nuclear News reports.
