Speaker
Willem Alfons Marc Janssens
(European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Nuclear Security Unit)
Description
Although nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards are a continuous concern of the international community and discussed frequently at international fora and conferences, the academic world is not really on board with these topics. What we mean by this is that nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards is only very seldom part of a university curriculum. In the few cases where it does appear in the curriculum, whether in a nuclear engineering course or a political sciences master programme, it is typically covered only partially.
Nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards are multidisciplinary and embrace, inter alia, historical, legal, technical, and political aspects. This is perhaps the reason why it is challenging for a single professor or university to develop and implement a comprehensive academic course or programme in this area.
Professional organizations in this field, like the European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA) and the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM), have made first steps to address this issue by implementing specific educational activities. However, much more needs to be done. Therefore, ESARDA, INMM and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are in the process of joining efforts to identify key elements and priorities to support universities in establishing appropriate and effective academic programmes in this area.
This paper will share best practices, achievements and lessons learned by ESARDA, INMM and the IAEA in providing education and training to develop and maintain the expertise of nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards professionals. In addition, it will suggest potential ways on how to assist universities to get prepared for building-up the next generation of experts able to meet any future challenges in the area of non-proliferation and safeguards.
| Country or International Organization | European Commission, Joint Research Centre, ITU, Nuclear Security Unit |
|---|---|
| EPR Number (required for all IAEA-SG staff) | 710 |
Primary author
Willem Alfons Marc Janssens
(European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Nuclear Security Unit)
Co-authors
Andrea Braunegger-Guelich
(Section for Safeguards Training, Division of Concepts and Planning, Department of Safeguards, International Atomic Energy Agency)
Claudio Gariazzo
(Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute,TEXAS A&M University)
Jean_Maurice Crete
(Section for Safeguards Training, Division of Concepts and Planning, Department of Safeguards, International Atomic Energy Agency)
Paolo Peerani
(European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Nuclear Security Unit, Ispra)
Steve Ward
(University of Michigan)
