The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Enec celebrated the graduation of 46 students who have successfully completed specialist courses in nuclear energy from various institutions in the U.A.E. such as Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and universities abroad in the United States, United Kingdom and South Korea on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by Enec's CEO, Mohamed Al Hammadi who delivered a congratulatory speech to the students and their families, as well as Dr William Travers, Director-General of Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation, Mariam Al Mahmoud, Director of Education and Training at FANR, Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University and Dr Ahmed Al Awar, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic Director, in addition to a number of senior officials, students families and guests. "In delivering the U.A.E.'s first nuclear energy plant, we are very much aware of the need for specialist talent to continue the U.A.E.'s growth. Nuclear energy requires specialist engineering and scientific academic capabilities and our graduate students are some of the best and brightest talent from the U.A.E.,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Enec. During the event the students and guests heard speeches from representatives of FANR, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and Khalifa University. They received their graduation certificates as the first official batch of graduates of Enec's Energy Pioneers programme. Ali Al Nuaimi, one of the graduate students said: "I am proud to be part of the Energy Pioneers. I speak on behalf of all the graduates when I say that we will work hard for continuous development and continue to strive for excellence, setting an example to future generations of pioneers of peaceful nuclear energy.” The Energy Pioneers programme was set up to develop human capacity in the organisation. It aims to attract excellent science students, engineering graduates and experienced professionals and train them to become leaders in the peaceful nuclear energy sector. The Energy Pioneers will have an important role in the success of the nuclear energy programme in the U.A.E., where they will receive training of the highest international standards by the industry's leading global experts. To date, Enec has awarded scholarships to more than 340 Emirati nationals in a range of programmes. By 2020, Enec will need approximately 2,500 employees to power the U.A.E.'s peaceful nuclear energy programme and over 60 per cent of these roles will be filled by talented Emirati women and men, such as the students who have just graduated. To meet that target, Enec offers a series of scholarships opportunities through its Energy Pioneers programme. The HDNT, bachelors and masters courses are offered by Enec through the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and Khalifa University and students benefit from hands-on, high-tech training and practical experience. In the HDNT course, after three years students are qualified with a diploma in their chosen job stream as well as a Job Qualification Certificate (JQC).