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The organisation which provides crucial links for young Australian scientists to train in nuclear science and engineering techniques celebrates its 50th birthday today.
The Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) is a unique body which liaises with universities around the country to coordinate training projects and provide funding for scientists to work at Australia’s only nuclear facility at Lucas Heights in Sydney: the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
The day will be marked by a 50th Anniversary Seminar to feature presentations from AINSE research scholars and launched by Dr Ziggy Switkowski, ANSTO’s Chairman.
It was last night, though, when celebrations began and NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer Professor Mary O’Kane was the guest of honour at a special event where she launched a commemorative book which describes the unique and enduring research partnership between ANSTO, where AINSE is based, and Australasian Universities. Professor O’Kane said it was wonderful to see old familiar faces again and noted the eminence of the gathering.
Dr Dennis Mather, AINSE’s Managing Director said the evening was a great success with guests arriving from around the country which included those involved with AINSE for many years and those more new to the organisation.
“When AINSE began in 1958 it only had nine universities plus ANSTO as part of the training mix, but now it has 39 Australasian universities benefiting from the training programs on offer, so it really has grown and flourished,” he said.
“AINSE’s role is very important for young Australian scientists because our universities do not have the facilities to provide nuclear-based science and engineering training,” he said. “AINSE coordinates these training opportunities by utilising the expertise of the research scientists at ANSTO and arranging access to the many unique instruments at the Lucas Heights facility.”
There have been many success stories out of AINSE with ANSTO’s current Chairman, Dr Ziggy Switkowski, and former CEO, Dr Ian Smith being prime examples as both undertook their nuclear science and engineering university training through AINSE programs.
AINSE’s current president, Professor Allan Chivas of the University of Wollongong, sums it up in the commemorative book’s Forward: ”Perhaps AINSE’s most telling contribution for the nation has been the generations of students who have made use of nuclear science facilities through AINSE in the PhD, master, and bachelor honours research projects, with many progressing to become leaders in their chosen field and some becoming nuclear science experts.”
Published: 12/12/2008