BAEC scientists call for stronger nuclear capacity
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) scientists on Sunday called for strengthening the commission’s institutional and technical capacity to support the country’s long-term nuclear science and technology development.
They made the call at a discussion titled “Strengthening the Institutional and Applied Capacity of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission: Current Status, Challenges and Way Forward”, organised by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists’ Association (BAESA) at the Dr Anwar Hossain Auditorium at BAEC headquarters in Dhaka.
Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam MP attended the meeting as the chief guest, while Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad attended as the special guest.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain and BAEC Chairman Dr M Moinul Islam were also present. Dr A S M Saifullah, director general of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Savar and president of BAESA, chaired the meeting.
In his keynote paper, Dr Saifullah said nuclear science and technology had become an important strategic capability for Bangladesh’s science-, technology- and innovation-driven development.
He said BAEC had made important contributions to agriculture, healthcare, food and energy security, industry, water resources, the environment, nuclear medicine and power generation.
He highlighted the commission’s major scientific infrastructure, including the research reactor, cyclotron, tandem accelerator, gamma irradiator, LINAC, tissue bank, isotope hydrology facilities, semiconductor facilities and advanced laboratories at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Savar. Dr Saifullah said BAEC’s current organisational structure, established in 1985, was no longer aligned with its expanded activities and workforce.
He identified the lack of a modern Scientific Career Track, adequate promotion opportunities and professional recognition for scientists as major challenges. Grade disparities, post downgrading and complex administrative procedures were also making it difficult to retain skilled personnel and attract a new generation of scientists, he said.
He called for modernising BAEC’s organisational structure, workforce and career management system.
Dr Saifullah also said the start of commercial operations at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant would place Bangladesh’s nuclear programme in a new phase.
He stressed the need to strengthen BAEC’s Owner’s Engineering Capability, Independent Technical Assessment and Strategic Technical Oversight capacity.
He said BAEC should be developed as a national Technical Support Organisation (TSO) for future nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMRs), the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management.
Among the priorities, he identified modernising BAEC’s organisational structure, introducing a modern Scientific Career Track, developing skilled human resources, upgrading research infrastructure and preparing a national human resource and nuclear innovation roadmap.
He also called for stronger nuclear safety and radioactive waste management, as well as expanded cooperation among universities, industry and research institutions.
