Dr. Adyl Garibov is the Director of the Azerbaijani Institute of Radiation Problems and the official representative of Azerbaijan at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- What is the major occupation of the Institute?
- The Institute is the only scientific institution in the country that carries out research in the sphere of peaceful use of nuclear power. The history of our Institute dates back to Soviet times. The foundation of the Institute was a part of the all-Union nuclear program and at first specialists from Moscow played an important role in the Institute. At the beginning of the 90s we were facing some serious problems; there were even plans to close the Institute. Fortunately, after 1994 the situation began to change. We extended the sphere of our activities and the International Atomic Energy Agency began to support us.
- What joint projects do you have with the IAEA and other organizations?
- We have 6 joint projects with the IAEA and 4 with NATO and the EU. The aim of all these projects is to provide our Institute with modern equipment. We also have several joint research programs with the IAEA. After the Chernobyl disaster there was a crisis in the sphere of nuclear energy that lasted for more than 20 years, but after 2006 there began a revival of this sphere. Our Institute is now supported by international organizations. Our specialists have a chance to work and study abroad.
- In what countries are your specialists studying?
- In France, in the UK, Hungary, Austria and Russia. We pay special attention to students. For them it's much easier to improve their skills abroad.
- The President of Azerbaijan has recently ordered the development of alternative sources of energy in the country. What has been done in this sphere?
- Now we are developing energy based on solar and wind power. However,
these sources of energy are additional ones and cannot become the main
one, as they cannot provide the necessary amount of energy and such kinds of energy production is still rather costly. In spite of this, the President's order is a remarkable breakthrough. The less carbon dioxide we produce, the cleaner our air will be.
Ramin Naziyev, Baku. Exclusively to VK.
