Amity Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (AINST), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, and Centre for Nuclear Security Science & Policy Initiative (NSSPI) at Texas A & M University (TAMU) USA, jointly organized a three-day workshop on “Practical Applications of Nuclear Security, held from 15th – 17th June 2022 at Amity University, Noida campus.
Amity University Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Centre for Nuclear Security Science & Policy Initiative (NSSPI) at Texas A & M University (TAMU) USA, is establishing a state-of-the-art laboratory for education and professional development in radiation detection and nuclear security sciences. The Défense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), USA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA are respectively the primary and secondary sponsors of the laboratory. One of the objectives of the laboratory is to provide hands on training on radiation detectors to the various stakeholders. The objectives of the workshop included providing hands-on experience on nuclear safety and security equipment, extending the visibility of facility for future collaboration, gaining experience by conducting exercises for recovery of different radioactive sources and imparting training on handling emergency situations with radiation detectors.
The resources persons from Texas A & M University (TAMU) USA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) USA, Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), USA included Dr. Craig Marianno, Dy. Director NSSPI, Texas A & M University, USA, Mr. Norman Turk, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Mr. Drew Bissell, Défense Threat Reduction Agency, to name a few.
The inaugural session held on 15th June, was chaired by Dr. W Selvamurthy, Chairman ASTIF, AUUP, apart from Guests from TAMU & DTRA, Advisor, Director & Head AINST. Dr. Selvamurthy also shared the presentation on the Amity Education Group. Dean, Heads and Directors of AUUP institutions joined for the same. Apart from participants, eminent guests had also joined the inaugural session, including Dr. Mukul Das, Director Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi (Chief Guest), Dr. N Madhavan, Inter University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, Dr. Sanjay Rajput, Senior Asst. Director, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research and Dr. Ajay Tyagi, Associate Professor, Banaras Hindu University, amongst others.
Sessions were held on various topics including, “Nuclear Security for Materials out of regulatory control”, “Radiation detection instrumentation for nuclear security, “Consequence management for nuclear security events”, “Nuclear security instrumentation demonstration (working of radioisotope identifiers)” amongst others.
The Valedictory Session was held on 17th June 2022, where Dr. B P Singh, Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University joined as a guest of honour and certificates were given to the participants. Some participants provided verbal feedback appreciating the workshop and overall conduct. The workshop was helpful in conducting hands on exercises with radiation monitoring equipment which helped to detect and quantify radiation in case of both normal and emergency conditions. AINST has connect with Industry and academia both which will provide opportunities for collaboration for research projects, industrial assignments and opportunities to work with government agencies like Atomic Minerals Directorate, Regional Office Delhi, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research Delhi, Banaras Hindu
In future, these workshops to be planned twice or thrice a year to train more candidates. Also, national/international conference can be planned in line with objectives of nuclear radiation detection, analysis, nuclear safety, and security. Apart from this, collaborations will be extended to government agencies like Atomic Minerals Directorate for them to utilize the facility developed and hence have joint publications and projects subsequently and interaction with faculty members from other institutions will provide room for collaborative/joint projects.