IAEA Chief Inaugurates S N Bose Building at Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership

New Delhi: Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, today inaugurated the S N Bose Building at the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New Delhi. The event also saw the launch of a Certificate Course on Nuclear Engineering, marking a significant step in advancing nuclear education and international collaboration.

Speaking at the inauguration, DG Grossi emphasized the critical role of global cooperation in nuclear science and capacity-building. He highlighted that initiatives like GCNEP reinforce the peaceful use of nuclear energy for societal and economic development. Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, reiterated India’s commitment to leveraging nuclear technology for sustainable progress, underscoring its potential in energy security, healthcare, and climate change mitigation.

The newly inaugurated S N Bose Building, named after the legendary Indian physicist Dr. Satyendra Nath Bose, is poised to become a leading global center for research and training in nuclear science. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, the facility will support GCNEP’s specialized schools focusing on nuclear security, reactor technology, radiation safety, nuclear material characterization, and radioisotope applications.

In a major boost to nuclear education, the Certificate Course on Nuclear Engineering was launched during the event. This six-month program is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge on reactor physics, nuclear fuel cycles, radiological safety, nuclear safeguards, and emerging nuclear applications. The course will be open to GCNEP signatory countries, accommodating 40 international and 10 Indian participants per batch. By fostering a new generation of nuclear professionals, the program aims to contribute to the safe, secure, and sustainable use of nuclear energy globally.

The event also saw GCNEP member countries reaffirming their commitment to international collaboration in nuclear technology. Discussions centered on advanced reactor technologies, workforce development, public outreach, and non-proliferation efforts. The role of nuclear energy in ensuring global energy security while addressing climate change was underscored, along with its contributions to healthcare, cancer treatment, and global health research.

Dignitaries from GCNEP partner countries, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), along with leading nuclear scientists and diplomats, attended the event.

The Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership continues to solidify India’s position as a global leader in nuclear research and innovation, reinforcing its vision of achieving Net Zero and fostering sustainable energy solutions worldwide.