Six Barakah employees share their roles and experiences at the Barakah nuclear plant.
Alia Al Hosani, 31, Abu Dhabi
Education: BA in business administration, University of Dubai.
Role: Administration and records officer in the capacity building and training department.
Living in Barakah since April 2015.
At Barakah: "Most of the facilities were not ready when I moved here, so it was not very luxurious. I love Barakah now and I go back to Abu Dhabi every weekend. I believe it's how you adapt to changes. It's hard to be away from your friends and family but, for me, I started building my second family with my team, and friendships. We have female nights, sport activities and there was even a reading club."
Family: "My brother is an engineer in oil and gas, so we both work in remote areas. My father was worried – the UAE's a very conservative society and most of the women should be at home or studying abroad. He accepted me coming here because it was my career and I wanted to be a part of this national project so it was more emotional and he was convinced."
Favourite aspect of Barakah: "It's a challenge because it's a unique industry. Expatriates are helping us [in this field] with their expertise and knowledge.
Ali Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, 24, Abu Dhabi
Education: Degrees in mechanical and nuclear engineering with distinction, Pennsylvania State University, US, on Enec's scholarship as part of the Energy Pioneers Programme.
Role: Reactor operator.
With Enec since 2009, living in Barakah for a year.
At Barakah: "We are in a unique position because we see parts of the plant that no one will ever see again once it is finished. We have a lot of facilities here, such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a football pitch, a gym, a library, a cultural tent. I am able to lead a relatively normal life like I do in Abu Dhabi."
Family: "They support me and are very proud of what I do. They keep pushing me to do more because they know how important this project is. It is one of the biggest projects in the UAE and the public in general have this pride."
Favourite aspect of Barakah: "I enjoy challenges, and obtaining a reactor operator licence is one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Seeing the project growing is really fascinating, it gives you a point where you can focus on the future. You see where we're heading, you realise how important your role is and the highly technical global experts are here."
Sheikh Ali Majid Al Nuaimi, 24, Ajman
Education: BA in nuclear engineering Texas A&M University, US, on Enec's scholarship as part of the Energy Pioneers Programme.
Role: Reactor operator.
With Enec since May 2013, living in Barakah since May 2015
At Barakah: "Living there is getting better. It's a new place we need to adapt to. The area is getting busier and more staff are arriving, so a community is being created. My first impression was shock, although I studied in a rural area in the States. But it is better to get exposed to the diversity of the people working here and I have a lot of friends now."
Family: "I go back to Ajman almost every weekend, driving four and a half hours to get there. My family motivated me because they know I aim high and I like to be unique. They stood by me, respected my opinion and feel I am an inspiration to my siblings."
Favourite aspect of Barakah: "I want to make a difference, to put my mark on the project and to lead the young generation in nuclear because we don't have any elders in this field, so I'd like to transfer the knowledge and experience to younger people. This is a long-term commitment for me, I plan on retiring from here as a nuclear engineer."
Salama Al Ketbi, 35, Abu Dhabi (Al Ain)
Education: BA in electrical engineering, UAE University.
Role: Senior project engineer. Coordinates engineering and construction, licensing as well as Kepco. Manages training for the engineering staff.
With Enec since October 2014.
At Barakah: "I was worried at first. But when I came, I found it was a different environment. As a girl, we have our own accommodation, I met new girls and they're my new family."
Family: They live 370 kilometres away and it takes me three and a half hours to go home every weekend. I'm used to being with my family. From the beginning, my parents never rejected anything about my job. They don't interfere because they know I'm ambitious and I want to accomplish things. In the beginning, they hesitated but they support me. I really appreciate that. The most difficult thing was driving from Al Ain to Barakah. My mother was so worried, it took her a few months to stop worrying and stop constantly calling me."
Favourite aspect of Barakah: "The work environment is better than previous organisations. There's more communication with others and no barriers between employees and managers. My director is two steps from my desk and my manager three steps from my desk so whatever I want, I can ask, I just go to them and they coach us very closely."
Cherif Desouky, 42, Egyptian
Education: BA in mechanical engineer, McGill University.
Role: Simulator manager, responsible for the design, construction and installation of the training simulator, which is based on the plant's main control room. Also in charge of the simulator's operation and maintenance.
With Enec since 2010, living in Barakah for the past two and a half years.
At Barakah: “I am here from Sunday to Wednesday and then I go back to Abu Dhabi every weekend where my wife and three children, aged nine, seven and two, live.
Family: "I got used to it [working away from home], it's a good balance. It might be tougher for my wife but she also got used to it. I have good activities here so time passes by very fast."
Favourite aspect of Barakah: "This year, we are getting ready for a major upgrade for the control system, and it will take a year. It will have the most changes for example on non-safety controls, which is how to open and close valves, how they're all connected to each other and interlocks."
Saed Bu Kisha, 42, Umm Al Quwain
Education: BA in marine engineering from Northumbria University and executive MBA from Higher Colleges of Technology.
Role: Deputy vice-president for operation readiness, assigned to take care of the plant and liaise with the main contractor once the system has to be turned over from construction to commissioning, then from commissioning to operations.
With Enec since 2012.
Family: "I am married with four kids. Even though I am away from them for most of the week, they are very proud of me working for Enec and they continue to support me to be a success."
At Barakah: "When I first came, everyone kept saying nuclear was different to the oil and gas industry, and it is. We need everyone to understand that. It is different because we are a regulated industry while oil and gas isn't. But the biggest challenge was to get the right people for the right position, and the expertise. You can't just bring anybody and worldwide, it's a small community."
Favourite aspect of Bakarah: "When I joined, the number of employees was 746 and today we are about 1,700 people. In three years that's a very fast growth. Nuclear was a very wise decision to go for because the day will come when we will have no oil and we need a clean source of energy that can continue to support growth of the nation."