SHAH ALAM, Aug 24 — Selangor is kicking off efforts to develop experts in the nuclear field, especially in power generation, over the next five years, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He added that this involves sending three Selangoreans to China’s Harbin Engineering University next month to study nuclear engineering, as part of an initiative announced in last year’s state budget, with a second batch of 22 students set to further their studies next year.
Over 100 people have registered for the programme so far.
“Today we are starting with the human capital sector (for the nuclear field). The three individuals we are sending have strong career and education backgrounds. We are also fortunate to have sponsorships from China for them to further their studies,” he told reporters after meeting sponsored students at his official residence here today.
The three recipients are Muhammad Amani Mazlan, 29; Aiman Syakirah Ahmad Jaffar, 24; and Hafiz Syahmi Faznee Aniff, 25. Their course fees are borne by China, while the Selangor government is paying for their livelihood expenses and return flights.
Amirudin said the experience would be important for them to become experts who aren’t just academically sound, but also understand the entire nuclear industry ecosystem before coming home to contribute to Selangor.
He explained that Selangor is also looking into establishing a specific agency to explore the nuclear field, and anticipates benefiting from Worldwide Holdings Bhd’s existing strategies.
“We don’t want them to come home without preparations from our end, so in the three to four years while they complete their studies, we will also look into our preparations.
“I have set targets; we don’t want to be hasty. Only after five years will we start the initiative,” he said.
Amirudin added that the phased approach would allow Selangor to ensure appropriate human resources development and preparations before the state starts to seriously explore the nuclear sector.
