From 15 through 19 November 2021 ISTC’s partner, Software Company, will host a Training workshop under Project MC5.01/15B “Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards” funded by the European Union’s Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. The prime focus of the training will be on the implementation of the Web-system which is aimed at enhancing safety and security during the transportation of Nuclear and Radioactive materials. The training is carried out in collaboration with Radiation Protection Authority Zimbabwe, Radiation Protection Authority Zambia and National Committee for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation of Democratic Republic of Congo.

 Dr. Boster Dearson Sewila, Executive Director, Radiation Protection Authority, Zambia, made the official opening remarks on behalf of Brigadier General Dr. Adrian Maleya, RPA Board Chairperson. He underlined the importance of collaboration on nuclear transport safety in the SADC region and identified the Information Tracking System (ITS) as a great example of an IT tool to help and enable transporters. Mr. Justice Chipuru, Executive Director, -Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, welcomed the training events and thanked ISTC and Software Company for the assistance provided in capacity building and introducing IT tools in the work of Southern African nuclear regulators. Prof. Florimond Nyamaga Kabanda, President, National Committee for Protection against Ionizing Radiation, Democratic Republic of Congo, echoed the words of appreciation for the organizers of the training and confirmed ITS importance and usefulness.

In his opening remark Mr. Nikolay Palov, CEO, Software Company, noted that the ITS was elaborated in accordance with the Project Terms of Reference, but later was expanded to more countries, and acquired additional functionalities in line with the requests by the end users – the participating SADC member states.

The participants were also greeted, on behalf of ISTC by Kamen Velichkov, Senior Program Manager and Diplomatic Advisor.

Eighty-six participants in the training will be drawn from all key stakeholders who play vital role in the transportation industry, prime focus on transporters of dangerous goods, and customs officers located at the border areas. The training is targeting both governmental and non-governmental organizations. The GROUP A List comprises transporting/courier companies and stakeholders in the transportation of RAM and nuclear materials. The GROUP B lists contains employees of the nuclear regulators of DRC, Zambia and Zimbabwe, respectively. The learning objectives include understanding the principles of ITS system operation; work with the main modules of the system and its core functionality; working with the mobile application; legal requirements in transportation of UOC and RAM.

Background information: The Information Tracking System (ITS) is an IT tool developed as a deliverable from the Project “MC5.01/15B – Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards. It is developed for the purpose of tracking and monitoring of uranium oxide concentrate (UOC) and other radioactive materials transportation across the territory of multiple African states.