This month, the WINS Academy is extremely pleased to welcome Sonia Naz as a WINS Ambassador. Sonia – who is a Ph.D student at the National Defence University Islamabad – received a WINS Academy scholarship after being selected as a nuclear scholar by King’s College London. In the following interview, Sonia discusses the benefits of taking a WINS Academy course as well as why she wanted to become an ambassador.
Continue reading to learn more about Sonia.
What was your elective for the WINS Academy? Why did you choose it?
I was selected as a nuclear scholar by Kings College London in 2021, and part of that scholarship included taking a course from the WINS Academy and getting certified. I chose the Nuclear Security Incident Management module because my Master’s thesis and previous publication were on nuclear security, therefore I wanted to enhance my knowledge in the domain of nuclear security.
As I was on a tight schedule due to Ph.D coursework and my job, the WINS team supported and facilitated me throughout the certification process, which made it a great experience. They actively encouraged and supported me alongside the King’s College London team. Moreover, they sent me textbooks and stayed in touch with me even before and after course exams. I really appreciated the WINS team, because they were very active and immediately responsive to their learners.
The Academy courses were very detailed and comprehensive, which helped me to better understand nuclear security. This certification has enhanced my knowledge and boosted my confidence.
What inspired you to become a WINS Academy Ambassador?
Nuclear security is a global good. It is also my favourite subject as my thesis was on nuclear security summits. In my articles, I always suggested that these summits should not be paused as all four summits played important roles in bringing States together to discuss nuclear security.
I applied to become a WINS Academy Ambassador as I completed my certification from WINS with a high mark. The Academy courses were very detailed and comprehensive, which helped me to better understand nuclear security. This certification has enhanced my knowledge and boosted my confidence.
One of my international fellows Ali Alkis – who was also selected as a nuclear scholar at King’s College London – was working as a WINS Ambassador. He was publishing his work and attending conferences, which inspired me to also become a WINS Ambassador because it is my area of interest. I also wanted to attend all events on nuclear and cybersecurity to learn as much as possible in these areas. I am interested in sharing my wonderful learning experience at the WINS Academy with everyone and want to encourage my fellows, friends and students to get certified.
I am interested in sharing my wonderful learning experience at the WINS Academy with everyone and want to encourage my fellows, friends and students to get certified.
What advice do you have for current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling?
WINS certification plays a significant role in enhancing knowledge because it is a very detailed course. Therefore, they should study the WINS textbooks with a present mind and a dedicated heart, because it is a great opportunity for young scholars who really want to enhance their knowledge in the field of nuclear safety, nuclear security and cybersecurity. This certification benefits both academically and professionally. If someone interested in enrolling is working as a lecturer in academia, they could enhance the knowledge of their students by getting certified. If someone is working in industry, they can practice their knowledge.
How has your WINS Academy training shaped your understanding of nuclear security threats and risks?
Nuclear safety and nuclear security are important for the whole world. The principal lesson of the Fukushima disaster is that nuclear activities have potential consequences that go beyond the border of any one State. The WINS Academy courses were very detailed with in-depth lessons as it increased my knowledge by teaching the difference between threat, risk and vulnerability through a formula.
Moreover, the Foundation module discusses the basics of nuclear security in detail. In addition to this, the Nuclear Security Incident Management module explains how incidents are crises are different in the nuclear security context. This helped me to understand the classic model of decision-making to manage real crises. What I also found useful is the module’s elaboration on the significance of force-on-force, live and tabletop exercises to practice countermeasures during real incidences that many occur. It highlighted that problem identification is extremely necessary even in nuclear security to counter threats.
How do you think advancing gender equality, diversity and inclusion would enhance your field?
The field of nuclear security is important for all humans without any gender discrimination. There should be no discrimination on the basis of gender for recruitment, transfers, promotions, and training opportunities (nationally or internationally). According to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you.”
The inclusion of women in this field is equally important as the inclusion of men.
Questions for Sonia’s Supervisor Dr Rubina Waseem
How has your organisation benefited from your staff achieving certification from the WINS Academy?
It has enhanced the knowledge of Sonia Naz in the field of nuclear security hence it would also encourage others to avail this opportunity and learn more in this field.
What role does WINS certification play in your institution’s professional development programme?
As WINS certification provides the opportunity to learn new techniques, it is a good opportunity for those young scholars who really want to enhance their knowledge in this field. Additionally, Sonia’s learning and knowledge gained from WINS’ professional certification programme would be beneficial for our other students as well.
