ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS) of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) has become a collaborating centre of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for nuclear security education, training and technical support.

Built on a long-term partnership between IAEA and Pakistan, NISAS became IAEA’s 10th collaborating centre in the field of nuclear security in the world. An agreement to this effect signed on the sidelines of the IAEA general conference in Vienna last month is valid until 2026.

A collaborating centre is an IAEA member state institution, department or laboratory, which focuses on research, development and training, and which has been designated by the IAEA to support its programmatic activities by implementing an agreed work plan.

The agreement is a legally binding document signed by both parties, which contains the undertakings of the parties and the duration of designation as well as the objectives, activities and expected results and outcomes.

Move acknowledges Pakistan’s expertise in nuclear security, says PNRA chairman

“The IAEA nuclear security programme includes a broad range of capacity building activities, which are one of the most important pillars of our assistance to member states. Nuclear security education and training in the region of Asia and the Pacific will be further strengthened and supported by the designation of NISAS as an IAEA collaborating centre,” said IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security Lydie Evrard.

“NISAS is systematically supporting the IAEA’s ongoing efforts to enhance nuclear security in the region, and globally,” she said.

Under the scope of the agreed work plan, NISAS will continue to support nuclear security through organising and hosting IAEA training courses and workshops by utilising their state-of-the-art training centre and physical protection laboratories, by hosting researchers and nuclear security fellowships, by supporting the development of guidance documents, and by sharing experience with IAEA member states through participation in expert missions.

“The designation of NISAS as an IAEA collaborating centre is an important milestone in the longstanding cooperation with the IAEA, and will further foster it. It confirms and acknowledges the expertise we have developed in the area of nuclear security,” said PNRA Chairman Faizan Mansoor.

“NISAS’ staff and infrastructure will continue contributing to the IAEA efforts in building the competencies and technical skills required to support nuclear security at national and regional level.”

The PNRA established NISAS in 2014. Since its inauguration, NISAS, in collaboration with the IAEA, has hosted and organised more than 30 national, regional and international training courses, with main focus on enhancing human resource development in the field of nuclear security. NISAS is an ISO 9001:2015 certified training institute, which is capable of conducting quality trainings in regulatory domains. It has developed nuclear security laboratories related to access control, intrusion detection, CCTV and radiation detection systems, as well as a mockup model of a hypothetical nuclear power plant. Its labs are used to host training courses for international and national participants including operators, regulatory staff, security personnel, first responders, front line officers and students.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022