The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) today hosted its third annual scholars gathering to bring the students together with ENEC senior management,update the students about the latest milestones achieved in the program, and celebrate the achievements of the top performing students enrolled in its ‘Energy Pioneers’ program. The event was attended by over 135 students from all three degrees - Bachelors, Masters and Diploma, which are offered as part of ENEC’s scholarship program. The students were addressed by ENEC’s CEO Mohammad Al Hammadi, and Ahmed Al Mazrouie, Deputy Chief Nuclear Officer at ENEC. They also heard from a number of senior student representatives who shared their experiences and nuclear energy insights. The students are part of ENEC’s ‘Energy Pioneers’ program, which aims to attract and train the most talented science students and experienced professionals, providing them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the nuclear energy sector. ENEC’s annual scholars gathering represents an important platform for students to meet with each other and representatives from ENEC to share experiences and learn the latest updates on the UAE’s first nuclear energy program. Special recognition was given to 35 students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance over the past year. "At ENEC we seek the best UAE national talent and we provide top-tier training to run the nation’s first nuclear power plants," said H.E Mohammad Al Hammadi in his speech to the students. "That’s why you are all here today and we have high hopes for you all. "The academic progress you have all shown is very pleasing and we are proud of what you are all achieving. Added to this, one of our biggest achievements in 2012 as an organization was that we reached 65 per cent Emiratization at ENEC." Mohammad Al Hammadi also spoke about the Construction License for Units 1 & 2 which were granted from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the No Objection Certificate from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). "In 2012, ENEC achieved significant milestones in the development of the UAE’s peaceful civil nuclear energy program," he said. Since its launch in 2009, the scholarship program has seen widespread interest from outstanding students who have exceeded expectations. This demonstrated the ambitions of young Emiratis to take leading roles in providing the necessary expertise to support the nation’s development and evolution in nuclear energy. The total number of students in the program is approximately 230 across various world-class local and international academic institutions and fields. ENEC expects to employ more than 2,000 employees by 2020, with an overall target of 60 per cent Emiratization. At the end of their study, scholarship students can join the ENEC team working to meet the future growth of the UAE’s need for energy, which is increasing at an annual rate of 9 per cent – three times the global average. The second batch of the Master degree students in nuclear engineering at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology graduated in 2012 and joined the teams at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and ENEC. Registration for Higher Diploma of Nuclear Technology Program February intake at the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic is currently open. Interested students can apply through hdnt@enec.gov.ae. More information on the program is available on www.enec.gov.ae. ENEC offers a wide range of scholarship courses, from Higher Diplomas to Bachelors and Masters programs in a variety of fields, for students interested in pursuing a career in nuclear energy. Nuclear energy offers an exciting, challenging and rewarding career that includes internationally recognized professional qualifications from some of the world’s leading universities and institutions. Students that graduate through the scholarship programs are given the opportunity to join the team at ENEC and work towards delivering safe, clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy to the UAE.