First Annual CNCP Conference for Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Conference opening

Press-conference

Conference participants

The First Annual Closed Nuclear Centres Programme Conference - Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan was held in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on 15-17 March 2005. Representatives of national Nuclear Centres from mentioned countries involved in the programme took part in the conference. It aimed to summarize first results achieved for the year and to exchange experience with colleagues from other similar Institutes. Representatives of international and regional organizations, major scientific institutes and production enterprises, supervisors of new projects and competent English experts participated in the Forum. The conference was organized by the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) in Almaty with financial support from UK DTI and organisational assistance of ISTC, which provided convenient mechanism for funding of the event.

The Conference was opened by Kayrat Kadyrzhanov, Director of INP. He thanked the Closed Nuclear Centres Programme for an opportunity to discuss important projects, to meet colleagues, to exchange ideas and establish mutually beneficial contacts. The key idea of first presentation as well as of the whole conference was a widely recognized fact: Centres' viability in post-Soviet time depends on its commercial activity which combines its high intellectual potential and conversional opportunities with deep learning of market, business planning and management. It is evident that scientific and technological experience acquired over many years of active work, unique knowledge, technologies and facilities allow the creation of competitive products demanded in many areas. They are ecology, "green" technologies (clearance, waste processing), medicine, creation of new materials and services. It is obvious that international collaboration plays a particular role for successful development of such activity - to get knowledge related to market economy, marketing, management and business communication, to adopt diversification experience in other countries, expert and grant support, and various financial and informational collaboration.

Nuclear Centres leaders illustrated in their presentations international projects organized under ISTC, STCU, IAEA and NATO support.

Presentations

The central presentation within the conference was by Patrick Gray, Project Leader of the Closed Nuclear Centres Programme, and related to programme organizational and financial structures, presenting main activity, progress achieved as well as programme final target - creation of sustainable jobs and economic stability.

The collaboration basis was emphasized in a presentation by Vladimir Sterekhov, Co-ordinator of Rosatom for UK-Russia Closed Nuclear Cities Partnership who spoke on the non-proliferation of weapons and mass destruction materials; fighting terrorism and strengthening security, and also the goals for mutually beneficial co-operation of partners. The introduction of high technologies and science-intensive products, entering world markets, obtaining access to advanced technologies, solution of environmental, as well as social and economic problems was also mentioned.

Presentations of other participants focused on these issues as well as on organization of international collaboration with such structures as ISTC, STCU, search for new forms of cooperation, mechanisms of grant support, opportunities for study and experience exchange, re-orientation of former nuclear scientists, adaptation of enterprises created and developed on the conditions of absolute governmental management to the market economy and competitive activity conditions, commercial programme implementation intended for long-terms prospects and creation of sustainable jobs.

Presentations given by British experts on nuclear industry working in collaboration with CNCP were of great value. They presented experience in UK economic development and nuclear technologies commercialization with the process of re-orientation on civil production development. Approach to isotope production promotion has been given as an example: market research, identification and analysis of clients and competitors, production and storage capacity, supply chains, prognosis of demand and supply dynamics. Experience of Oxford, Telford, Coventry and Harwell enables to form key principles of economic development, to identify the main features of modern tendencies and give concrete recommendations on strategy development.

Projects

In the framework of the conference the following projects which would be supported by CNCP were reviewed: three projects from each country -

Kazakhstan:

• radiation technology for manufacture of hydrogel dressings;
• neutron activation analysis for the needs of Kazakhstan industry;
• manufacture of ampoule radioactive sources for medicine and industry of Kazakhstan;

Ukraine:

• vacuum-tight beryllium foils;
• utilization of waste car tyres;
• medical instruments from ultra fine dispersed materials;

Uzbekistan:

• drinking water desalination, purification and disinfection systems;
• radiation improvement of natural minerals;
• development of ampoule radioactive Co-57 sources for fluorescent X-ray analysis.

The project relating to the Nuclear Technology Park establishment in Kurchatov, Kazakhstan had special place among the projects being implemented in collaboration with CNCP. The main topics of presentation were: objectives of this ambitious initiative, organizational structure and functional scheme of the Technopark, received results of examination and prospective of production sales.

In addition, the projects being implemented in Russia in the framework of CNCP were reviewed, where the Programme has been established for more than two years. It enables useful collaboration experience which could be helpful for Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Round table discussions

It is important to mention "the round table" work which gave the unique possibility of interactive communication for all parties involved. The main urgent matters determined in the process of free discussion appeared to be the problems of entering the market, search for sufficient and sustainable circle of potential clients, and also the bureaucratic barriers and imperfection of the national legislative bases. Also, there were discussed quite logical ways for their solving: search for the products' niches on the local market, conformity of the products to strict international standards, their meeting of safety and ecological compatibility requirements, products certification and accreditation, improvement of the quality management system and, finally, the product standard raise at a competitive prime cost. The big advantage of the former nuclear centres is unique methods and units, as well as the possibilities to render complex services. Recognition of the high level of expertise of the centres has significant importance, where there are favourable conditions for advertisement and brand promotion.

At the round table, there were also brought up issues on staff training, necessity of economic education with business training, irreplaceability of practical management experience, and having specific management knowledge.

Media attention

The conference gave rise to interest from the mass media. A press conference was held, with participation of CNCP and Nuclear Centres leaders, officials from ISTC, STCU, Rosatom and the British Embassy, and representatives of Kazakhstan's leading television channels. The main topics of the press conference were: problems related to nuclear scientists emigration, prospective of nuclear sector transformation, sustainable development of Nuclear Centres and science funding.

The priceless experience of joint discussion of the vitally important issues, common conviction in the necessity for achievement of the goals determined by CNCP, and the wish to continue the work which has been started can be considered as the general result of the conference.

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