The United Kingdom (UK) is ready to share its rich experiences in atomic science and technology with Vietnam and assist the Southeast Asian nation in atomic training, said Andrew Holt, the first secretary of the British Embassy in the communist nation. Mr. Holt made this statement at a symposium in Hanoi on Dec 10-11 co-organized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office with participation of numerous experts, researchers and lectures from Britain’s leading atomic energy institutions. The UK has over 60 years of experiences in nuclear power development. The kingdom is operating 41 nuclear power plants and over 30 educational and research facilities in atomic sciences, Mr. Holt noted. During the two-day symposium, British and local scientists assess the reality of current human resource shortfalls in Vietnam and propose expanding cooperation between the two countries to ensure the manpower for Vietnam’s first nuclear power plants. In order to operate its first nuclear power plant in 2020, Vietnam needs at least 1,200 experts in the field. Currently, the Southeast Asian nation has few scientists working in atomic science and the country has rushed to develop human resources, including sending hundreds of students to foreign institutions in Russia, Japan and other countries. Last month, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in using atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Under the agreement, the two sides will join hands in education and training, human resources development, research and development of civil nuclear power plants, and the application of radiation and radioactive isotopes in socio-economic development. They will also strengthen the management of radioactive waste and used materials while cooperating in infrastructure, financial consultation, information and communications, and response to nuclear problems. Vietnam targets to develop ten nuclear power plants with total capacity of 10,700 MW by 2030. It has signed agreements with Russia and Japan to build its first two plants in the central province of Ninh Thuan while South Korea would be hired to build the third plant. The communist nation signed an agreement on civil atomic cooperation with the U.S., paving the way for American companies to export their nuclear reactors and technologies to Vietnam. Vietnam already signed cooperation agreements with other countries, including Hungary, India and France on nuclear training. (Cong An Nhan Dan – People’s Police Dec 11 p4)
