First National Youth Nuclear Dialogue Held in Ishwardi, Calls for Greater Youth Role in Nuclear Sector
The first-ever day-long 'Bangladesh National Youth Nuclear Dialogue: Impact Team 2050' was held in Ishwardi, Pabna, on Saturday at the Nuclear Information Centre in Ishwardi.
The dialogue was jointly organised by Rosatom State Corporation and the International Youth Advisory Council - Impact Team 2050, with support from Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy corporation.
More than 50 young students, professionals and graduates from various universities took part in the dialogue.
The discussions placed special emphasis on the potential of nuclear energy in Bangladesh, employment opportunities in the sector, building a skilled workforce and engaging young people.
Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hasan Mohammad Shoaib and Olga Vishnevskaya, deputy project director of the human resources department of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project, attended the event as distinguished guests.
Pramod Chandra Baidya, a young expert at the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited and a member of Rosatom Director General's Impact Team 2050, said the youth of Bangladesh are highly positive and enthusiastic about nuclear energy.
He said young people are ready to play an important role in the safe and reliable use of nuclear energy in Bangladesh.
During the discussions, the young participants identified several key challenges. These include a lack of awareness about nuclear energy, limited opportunities for specialised education and practical training, a shortage of research facilities and few internships.
They also stressed the importance of spreading accurate information to dispel prevailing concerns and misconceptions about radiation, nuclear safety, waste management and environmental impact.
To address these challenges, the participants recommended introducing specialised courses, scholarships, research grants, internships and career counselling through industry experts.
They also proposed increasing mutual cooperation among the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant authorities and universities.
The recommendations that emerged from the discussions will be presented to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. They will also be raised at COP31, the United Nations climate change conference to be held in Antalya, Turkiye.
The organisers hope this initiative will encourage the youth of Bangladesh to play a more active role in the peaceful use of nuclear technology and the sustainable development of the country's nuclear sector.
