A senior delegation from the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) travelled to Bulgaria to take part in “Sustainable Nuclear Innovations”, a discussion platform on the future of the country’s nuclear energy programme. The event convened Bulgarian and European experts to discuss the role of innovation and the importance of education in science and engineering.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV delivered a keynote address to the event organised by the Bulgarian Nuclear Society and the Centre of Nuclear Competencies Kozloduy and hosted at Technical University of Sofia on 27 June. Key discussion topics included how to develop and implement policies and tools to foster nuclear energy innovation and research, and the role of different stakeholders in achieving these aims.
In his remarks Director-General Magwood reinforced the importance of innovation in the evolving nuclear landscape and highlighted several NEA initiatives that support the application of innovative approaches in nuclear energy, such as the latest Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation (GFNI) held in Miami, United States. Director-General Magwood also highlighted the ongoing work of the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy, which has a working group examining the question of how to revitalise innovation in the nuclear sector.
Dr Tatiana Ivanova presents during a panel “Development of nuclear innovations”.
The NEA had a significant presence throughout the event programme in Bulgaria. Dr Tatiana Ivanova, Head of the NEA Division of Science and Education, participated in a panel on the “Development of nuclear innovations” and presented how the NEA is advancing innovation in nuclear science and education to meet the increasing demand for energy.
The NEA hosted an interactive side event attended by over 30 students from across Europe. The Young Generation Nuclear Innovation Workshop involved two challenging activities that encouraged the practical use of innovation strategies and prompting discussions on how the nuclear sector can also deploy innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of nuclear power generation in Bulgaria and beyond.
The NEA delegation also held a series of bilateral meetings with senior managers and experts from Bulgarian academia, industry, regulatory bodies and research with a view to enhancing collaboration.
