Grossi Stresses Need for Engineers during Visit to TU Delft

On Wednesday, April 24, the TU Delft hosted a gathering for Director-General Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA), students, and other stakeholders in the nuclear sector.

"All of our research at the TU Delft Reactor Instituteis part of our mission as TU Delft: to make an impact for a better, moresustainable society. To continue that mission, we need engineers who aretrained at the highest level of technological expertise," said Tim van derHagen, Rector Magnificus of TU Delft, addressing a crowd of nuclearspecialists, including interested students.

Drawing inspiration from Delft Grossi turned to TU Delft dueto its status as a significant nuclear knowledge hub in the Netherlands,boasting the TU Delft Reactor Institute and extensive expertise in health,energy, and materials. He aimed to inspire students to pursue careers in thenuclear industry, stating, "These are exciting times, with numerousopportunities arising from an environmentally friendly energy matrix."

Student questions for Rafael Grossi ranged from publicperceptions of nuclear energy to more personal inquiries about the qualitiesand experiences required to work at the IAEA.

Inclusion and diversity Annemiek van Bolhuis, Chair of theBoard of the Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection(ANVS), emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diversity within thenuclear and radiation industry. "The industry can only thrive with astrong foundation of inclusion and diversity. We need broad representation,which is why I find it crucial to motivate students from diverse backgrounds tojoin the nuclear sector. In our pursuit of a more inclusive and diverse workforce,I am grateful that many enthusiastic students from various backgrounds havejoined us today for a panel with Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Wemust create an environment where talent knows no boundaries, and where everyonecan bring their unique skills and perspectives. Only then can we build aworkforce truly ready for the future."

Tour of the research reactor DG Grossi and his colleaguesfrom the IAEA and the ANVS were invited for a tour of the TU Delft researchinstitute, where they visited the research reactor and specially developedinstruments. Paulien Herder, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Jan LeenKloosterman, Chair of Radiation Science & Technology, and Jeroen Plomp,Head of Instrumentation, showcased the enhancements made in the reactor underthe Oyster program (Optimized Yield - for Science, Technology & Education -of Radiation). Soon, the instruments will yield the first results with the newcold neutron source.

Background

TU Delft Reactor Institute The TU Delft Reactor Institute isthe leading provider of research and education in the field of radiation andnuclear techniques for energy, health, and materials in the Netherlands. Giventhe developments in health, energy, and climate, the demand for theseapplications in our society is only increasing. This underscores the need forongoing and structural investments in both our researchers and TU Delft'sinfrastructure.

Research in energy, materials, and health Researchspans various areas, including sustainable energy, materials, and health, bothnationally and internationally. Examples include research in solar cells andbatteries, as well as medical isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment ofcancer.