Recap: Canadian Isotope Industry Night at Ontario Tech University

Submitted by Rusham Ahmad, Ontario Tech University

The Canadian Isotope Industry Night, hosted at Ontario Tech University, brought together students and industry professionals for an engaging discussion on the future of Canada’s growing isotope sector. The event was organized by Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries in collaboration with the Brilliant Energy Institute, creating a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and networking.

Among the speakers was Rusham Ahmad, a Mechanical Engineer at CANDU Energy and Co-President of the NAYGN CANDU Chapter. As an alumna of Ontario Tech University, her participation marked a full circle moment, returning to campus to share her experiences with current students. During the panel discussion, Rusham spoke about the importance of interdisciplinary education and transferable skills in building a successful career in the nuclear and isotope industries. She highlighted how her career path was shaped by early industry exposure through an internship, emphasizing the critical role that hands-on experience plays in helping students discover and pursue their interests.

The discussion also underscored the broader impact of the nuclear industry, including its role in supporting the production of medical isotopes used in healthcare worldwide. Rusham shared insights from her work in reactor refurbishment, highlighting how maintaining and extending the life of nuclear reactors contributes not only to clean energy but also to the long-term reliability of isotope production.

Also featured at the event was Jonathan Jeyarajah, an Engineer from Ontario Power Generation and the President of the NAYGN Durham Chapter, who spoke about the role of NAYGN in supporting young professionals across the nuclear industry. He highlighted the organization’s commitment to professional development, networking opportunities, and community engagement, encouraging students to get involved and take advantage of the resources available through NAYGN.

The event concluded with a networking session, where students had the opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and explore potential career pathways. The strong turnout and high level of engagement demonstrated the growing interest in Canada’s isotope sector and the importance of fostering the next generation of nuclear professionals.