Ait-Abderrahim Hamid

Aït-Abderrahim Hamid

Deputy Director-General of SCK•CEN & Director of the MYRRHA project SCK•CEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre), Belgium Professor at Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)

Origins & Education

Hamid Aït-Abderrahim was born on January 10, 1961, in Tiaret, Algeria. From his teenage years, he developed a deep passion for nuclear energy and its peaceful applications. This early fascination led him to pursue higher education in nuclear engineering, first in Belgium and then in France.

He earned his degree in Nuclear Civil Engineering from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in Belgium, then continued his education with a PhD in Applied Sciences, specializing in nuclear reactor physics. His multidisciplinary training enabled him to acquire in-depth expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of nuclear engineering.

Scientific Career

Hamid Aït-Abderrahim's career flourished at SCK•CEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre) in Belgium, where he progressively climbed the ranks to become Deputy Director-General. Simultaneously, he pursued a remarkable academic career as a professor at the Université Catholique de Louvain.

Since 1998, he has led the revolutionary MYRRHA project (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications). This pioneering project aims to develop the world's first hybrid research reactor, combining a particle accelerator with a subcritical nuclear reactor. MYRRHA represents a major breakthrough in research on transmutation of high-level, long-lived nuclear waste.

His research also focuses on advanced fourth-generation reactors, passive safety systems, and optimization of nuclear fuel cycles. He has published over 200 scientific articles in leading international journals and has supervised numerous doctoral theses.

Awards & Recognition

The excellence of his scientific contributions has been recognized through numerous prestigious distinctions:

• Grand Officer in the Order of the Crown - Honorary distinction awarded by the King of Belgium in recognition of his exceptional services to science and Belgian society.
• Doctor Honoris Causa from Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania) - Recognition of his international expertise in nuclear engineering.
• Research Excellence Award from SCK•CEN for his innovative contributions to advanced nuclear technologies.
• Member of prestigious international scientific societies in the field of nuclear energy.

Impact & Influence

Hamid Aït-Abderrahim's impact on the nuclear energy field extends far beyond Belgium's borders. The MYRRHA project, under his leadership, is globally recognized as a cutting-edge research infrastructure that could revolutionize nuclear waste management.

His work on minor actinide transmutation directly contributes to solving one of the nuclear industry's major challenges: reducing the radiotoxicity and lifespan of radioactive waste. This research paves the way for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible nuclear economy.

As a recognized expert, he advises numerous international organizations, notably the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. He also plays a key role in training the next generation of nuclear engineers through his teaching and research supervision activities.

Learn More

Discover more about Hamid Aït-Abderrahim's work and expertise through these resources:

• Professional LinkedIn Profile
• Belgian Engineers Federation
• Conferences and Public Presentations
• Scientific Publications on ResearchGate
• Complete Official Curriculum Vitae
• Official MYRRHA Project Website

"Innovation in nuclear engineering for a responsible energy future"