More photos taken during the event can be viewed here.

INSC is a global association comprising a large number of national nuclear societies aiming at exchanging information and best practices in the promotion and applications of nuclear energy. It represents around 80,000 scientists, engineers, and technicians working in the field. INSC holds a General Assembly every year in September in Vienna during the IAEA General Conference week and annually presents its Global Award to personalities who have contributed through their professional career (in research and innovation, industrial deployment, teaching, etc.) to strengthening the role of nuclear energy for the development of a sustainable society.

After an introduction by the President of the BNS, Ms. Michèle Auglaire, the evening provided an opportunity for various speakers from research (Prof. Dr. Peter Baeten, Director General of SCK CEN) and industry (Mr. Denis Dumont, Chief Nuclear Officer of Tractebel) to recall the rich history of nuclear energy in Belgium and offer a vision for the future. A student of Hamid Aït Abderrahim testified her extraordinary ability to explain simply complex nuclear technology concepts, highlighting the inspiration she found for nuclear energy through the MYRRHA project on which she completed her doctoral thesis.

Two pre-registered video messages were also shown. The first was from Dr. Stefano Monti, in his capacity as President of the ENS (European Nuclear Society), who highlighted the significant efforts and leadership of Hamid Aït Abderrahim in European research programs in the fields of advanced closed fuel cycle. He particularly emphasized Hamid’s pivotal role within the European working group on transmutation and ADS systems, where his contributions have been instrumental and exemplary.

The second message was from Mr. Christian Legrain, former Secretary-General of SCK CEN, Vice-President of ENS, and Belgian Delegate to INSC. He reflected on Hamid’s management and promotion of the MYRRHA project to various stakeholders, underscoring his strategic vision and dedication. Mr. Legrain also shared personal insights into their collaboration, praising Hamid’s unwavering commitment to advancing Belgian nuclear research.

The trophy was then presented, recalling the text inscribed on the INSC Global Award 2024 diploma:

Attributed to Prof. Dr. Dr. H.C. Hamid Aït Abderrahim

In recognition of his command, leadership and perseverance in fostering innovation in the field of sustainable nuclear technology related to closing the fuel cycle and the development of MYRRHA, an accelerator driven system,  for better use of the resource and improved nuclear waste management.

This text truly reflects the fundamental qualities of Hamid Aït Abderrahim: his competence, his ability to motivate and lead research teams, and above all, his perseverance in staying the course and defending his convictions. He is widely recognized as the father of MYRRHA, the sub-critical fast neutron research reactor cooled by Lead-Bismuth and driven by a proton accelerator, with its first phase of construction having begun in September 2024 in Mol.

This reactor, or more precisely ADS (Accelerator Driven System), is designed to succeed the historic BR2 material testing reactor of SCK CEN as a major research infrastructure for the supply of fast neutrons for research and medical radioisotopes. Additionally, it aims to demonstrate the possibility of transmuting efficiently minor actinides contained in spent fuel, once they are extracted through advanced separation (reprocessing). It will also serve as a pilot experimental platform for Gen.IV reactors, particularly for the heavy liquid metal fast reactor concept. Thus, this infrastructure is part of a long-term vision of making nuclear energy contributing to a sustainable society.

Having received his trophy, it was time for Hamid Aït Abderrahim to reflect on his career from his perspective, starting with the origin of his passion—one might say vocation—for nuclear energy, as a young boy from the High-Lands of Algeria (les Hauts-Plateaux d’Algérie). The journey was not always easy, but it was filled with satisfactions when difficult milestones were overcome, particularly in collaboration with Belgian and international friends and colleagues.

Elena, the wife of Hamid Aït Abderrahim, who attended the event, was duly included in the thanks and congratulations. A toast concluded the event.

Michèle Auglaire

Chair of BNS, on behalf of the Executive Committee