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IAEA Support for University Nuclear Education Programmes and the Nuclear Workforce

John Roberts

j.w.roberts@iaea.org

Nuclear Days

12th September 2024

Plzen

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Nuclear Knowledge Management Section

Nuclear Knowledge Management – Peer Reviews (KMAV)

Human Resource Development – WS and Expert Missions

Training & Qualification – WS and Scientific visits

Educational and HRKD Networks

Nuclear Energy/Knowledge Management Schools

Nuclear Education – Advisory Services (INEAS) and INMA

Direct support to Member States’ requests

New-comer countries’ nuclear infrastructure item #10 Human Resources Development

Technical Cooperation Programme, National and Regional support

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Timing of Workforce Employment Before Plant Operation

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How long does it take?

Bachelor’s Degree

Teach the Teachers

Master’s Degree

Experience

??

3 to 4 years

1 to 2 years

5 years ??

What is the total time?

How can it be optimized?

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Integrated Nuclear Education Advisory Services

University INEASProgramme appraisal to include specific high-level assistance to optimise and enhance existing nuclear education programmes to ensure their sustainability. Also used to identify good practices at universities.

National INEASSupports the establishment of nuclear education programmes in countries where the number of such programmes is relatively low or evolving

Feedback of Good Practices

Feedback of Good Practices

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The Three Phases of a National INEAS

Phase III Produce national indicators for monitoring and evaluating progress

Phase II Develop a strategy to deliver the required nuclear education programme(s)

Phase I Assessment of the current nuclear education resources and capabilities

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National INEAS Implementation

The aim is not to give a pre-prepared answer

The aim is to ask questions and provide answers based on the experience in the room

Provide a framework and guidance for the assessment and planning of sustainable national educational programmes

The success is directly correlated to the number of participating organisations

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Nuclear Education Stakeholders

Universities with existing nuclear or radiological education or research programmes

Universities that aspire to deliver relevant programmes or courses

National organisations such as regulators, support organisations, national laboratories and atomic energy commissions

Industries that require nuclear and radiological graduates

Industries that can support the programme

Medical, agricultural and industrial organisations that have specialist radiation facilities and experts

Relevant government ministries

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Support Structure for Sustainable Nuclear Education

Project�Manager

Stakeholders

Establishment of the Educational Programme

Operation of the Educational Programme

Advisory Board

Steering Group

Programme Director

Education Programme

Invited External Stakeholders

Provides advice to the Steering Group

Representatives of the network members with rotating elected Chair

Decides policy and strategy and provides oversight

Senior staff member from the network

Responsible for programme delivery

Collaborative delivery of the programme by the network members

Supports national policies for the application of nuclear and radiological technologies

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INEAS Implemented

National INEAS

  • Rwanda
  • Mauritius
  • Kenya
  • Ethiopia
  • Nigeria
  • Tunisia
  • South Africa
  • Philippines

University INEAS

  • Budapest University of Technology and Economics

  • École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
  • Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
  • Paul Scherrer Institute

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INEAS Implemented

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Integrated Nuclear Education Advisory Services

Supports countries to develop education programmes for national nuclear technology programmes

A strategic stakeholder engagement that brings together universities, government and industry to enhance nuclear education programmes

Assist universities and supports the improvement of existing nuclear education programmes through the sharing of good practices

Ensure that the nuclear programmes are suitable to educate the necessary workforce required for safe, reliable and sustainable nuclear technologies

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International Nuclear Management Academy

A collaboration between the IAEA and leading universities to develop and deliver Master’s programmes in Nuclear Technology Management

Curriculum

    • External Environment

Political, legal, regulatory and societal aspects in which nuclear managers operate

    • Nuclear Technology

Basics of nuclear technology and its application that are involved directly or indirectly in the management of nuclear facilities for power and non-power applications

  1. Management

Challenges and practices of management in the nuclear sector with due consideration of safety, security and economics

  • Leadership

Strong ethical behaviour, clear vision and goal setting, commitment to safety and security, good communication skills with all stakeholders and a professional attitude

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Why is Nuclear Management & Leadership Unique?

1. Nuclear facilities need 24/7 management

2. Manage the assets for their lifetimes and beyond - from construction to the end of decommissioning

3. Communication with the public is essential throughout the entire lifecycle

4. Nuclear managers & leaders have to actively display, social responsibility to the wider public community

5. Nuclear managers & leaders must have nuclear safety as the foundation of their working model

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Challenges of Managing a Nuclear Project

  • Long term commitment
  • Many stakeholders with various views toward nuclear
  • Many governmental authorities involved
  • Nuclear infrastructure will need to be developed or upgraded
  • Must comply with many different (inter)national treaties
  • Long design, manufacturing and construction time
  • Leadership & management roles and tasks change with time
  • A large number of contractors from multiple nationalities
  • Technically complex and difficult plants to construct

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Aim: ‘T Shaped’ Leaders

Depth of Knowledge

Technical Specialists

Breadth of Knowledge

Nuclear Technology Management

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INMA Deliverables

Strengthen depth and breadth of managerial competencies

Avoid serious gaps in nuclear managerial competencies

Reduced time-lines to managerial competency

Better educated and informed managers

Better decision-making

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INMA Curriculum

Developed through consultation

Some curriculum topics are mandatory

Inclusion of at least 80% of the curriculum topics

Programme can be full-time or part-time

Total learning hours 1800 - 4000

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Balance of the Programme

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Current Status - INMA Universities

Members

  • National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow, Russia
  • The University of Tokyo, Japan
  • Texas A&M University, United States of America
  • North-West University, South Africa
  • University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
  • Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
  • National Polytechnic University, Armenia
  • University of West Bohemia, Czech Republic
  • KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School, Korea
  • University of Idaho, United States of America

Candidates in the endorsement process

  • Ontario Tech University, Canada
  • Yerevan State University, Armenia
  • University of Ghana, Ghana
  • Tsinghua University, China
  • Xi'an Jiaotong University, China

  • Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria
  • Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria
  • Harbin Engineering University, China
  • Harbin Engineering University, China

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INMA Endorsement Process

Initial expression of interest from the University to the IAEA

University receives an INMA assist mission with a self-assessment based on current capability

University implements a nuclear technology management programme

University receives an INMA assessment mission of their NTM programme

Review after 4 years, full assessment after 8 years

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INMA University Visits

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What are the benefits?

  • For the student
    • Opens up career opportunities across the nuclear sector
    • Transferable skills help the student become job-ready faster

  • For the University
    • Options for attracting broader range of vocational focused students, early career (full-time) and mid-career (part time)
    • Enhanced international recognition via links to the IAEA international educational programmes
    • Potential to attract a broader range of international students

  • For the Industry
    • Improved safety and economic performance
    • Better return on investment

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INMA Publication

International Nuclear Management Academy Master’s Programmes in Nuclear Technology Management

Available from the IAEA website

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Thank you!