World Nuclear Association Blog

Two World Nuclear University short courses were held in Brazil recently, in WNU short courses in Rio de Janeiro and at the Angra Nuclear Power Plant. 

A team of experts gave presentations on the topics of World Energy; Nuclear Economics; Project Structuring & Financing; Technology Selection; Nuclear Fuel (including trade and transport issues); Responses to Fukushima; Nuclear Politics & Public Acceptance. ABDAN, the national Brazilian nuclear association, helped organise the courses. 

 

  

 

There was a very good response from the delegates at both of the courses.  

More details on the various courses on offer can be found on the WNU website.

The deadline for applications to the World Nuclear University Summer Insitute 2012 is approaching for those applicants with financial support confirmed (either through their company or through a sponsor). The final date for receipt of applications is 6th January 2012. 

The World Nuclear University is a partnership created in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Atoms for Peace initiative, which gave birth to the IAEA. The WNU mission is to support the beneficial use of nuclear technology by uniting industry, academia and inter-governmental organizations in efforts to strengthen nuclear education and leadership.

The most prominent WNU activity is the WNU Summer Institute, a six-week leadership development programme for young, high-potential nuclear professionals held at Christ Church College, Oxford, UK.

 

WNU SI 2011 Fellows

The Summer Institute programme is designed to expand participants’ horizons across the full spectrum of issues surrounding nuclear energy. Built on a foundation of instruction from some of the world's foremost leaders in science, engineering and the global environment, the programme is augmented by team-building exercises and a week-long technical tour of nuclear and related facilities. The programme is aimed at nuclear professionals between 27 and 37 years of age.

Details of the full range of WNU programmes, and further information about applying to the Summer Institute can be found on our website (http://www.world-nuclear-university.org/default.aspx)

The 2011 International Nuclear Energy Olympiad was held this week in Seoul. Ten finalist teams presented their Plans for Gaining Public Acceptance of Nuclear Power in their country. Three were from countries not yet having nuclear power. All were students, in teams of two, most ranging in age from 19 to 26.

The judging panel comprised two eminent academics from South Korea, one person from WNU, and one from WNA. (Dr SoonHeung Chang, Dr ChangSup Choi, Mr Francois Perchet and Ian Hore-Lacy).

The result was very close, but Canada took top prize narrowly from South Korea and Turkey. Following up were Malaysia, Russia and India. Each had to present a paper, then a 15-minute Powerpoint and answer questions from the judges. The presentations were closely geared to the cultural and social situations in each country, and were expected to do more than suggesting new ways to communicate facts.

The Olympiad was initiated and hosted by the Korean Nuclear Energy Promotion Agency (KONEPA) and put on under the auspices of the World Nuclear University.

See the WNN report for more information.

The 2011 World Nuclear University Summer Institute took place in July and August this year. Rather than report on the event ourselves, we've asked one of the delegates, Jay Disser from Brookhaven National Laboratory to write up their reflections.

"The seventh annual World Nuclear University Summer Institute was held this year at Christ Church at the University of Oxford in the UK. This course was a six week long intensive leadership development program held by the World Nuclear Association. I was fortunate to attend this year’s curriculum through a grant from the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI). The institute hosted 78 young professionals, representing a broad range of nuclear careers, from 34 countries. We attended lectures on nuclear topics, heard invited speakers discuss leadership, and participated in dynamic panel discussions with world leaders in the nuclear industry. Not only was this a challenging academic program, but it was also an amazing opportunity to meet and network with peers and leaders from across the industry and throughout the world.

The first two weeks covered the nuclear industry’s role in the global setting, and fuel cycles ranging from mining to the next generation of reactors to decommissioning and transportation. The final three weeks covered non-proliferation and safety, communications, economics, law, and knowledge management. During the third week we had the opportunity to visit an operating Advanced Graphite Reactor, a fuel fabrication facility, and a research centre. During these tours and associated lectures we were able to split up into groups to discuss and come up with questions to probe further into the depth of the issues. During, the last week we split into groups to deliver 20 minute presentations on issues in nuclear power. Some of the topics covered were the public’s fear of nuclear power, reprocessing, and expanding the use of nuclear power.

The most rewarding part for me was the friendships and bonds that were formed with the other fellows throughout the Summer Institute. Opportunities to get to know the other fellows in the University were made possible through the group work and academic discussions of the course. In addition the extra-curricular activities that were set up for us, and the fact that all us were away from home and away from the normalcy of our work and professional lives allowed us to interact in a unique way. We learned a lot at the Institute about nuclear power. What enriched the program even more was that we also learned a lot about each other, our different cultures, backgrounds, and fields. I don’t know if I’ll ever again enjoy dinner with ten colleagues from ten different countries, but I know I will always remember the experiences I had at the World Nuclear University Summer Institute 2011."

Ten teams of students from ten countries have been selected to participate in the first International Nuclear Energy Olympiad taking place in Seoul, 26 – 30 September. The event is being organised by the World Nuclear University and hosted and sponsored by the Korea Nuclear Promotion Agency (KONEPA).

The Olympiad is a communications competition where the teams must research and develop a plan for gaining acceptance of nuclear in their country. This plan will be presented in Seoul to an International Jury, led by WNA's Director of Communication – Ian Hore-Lacy.

A total of 35 teams from 22 countries applied to the Olympiad. The overall calibre of the submissions was extremely high making it extremely hard to select only ten teams. The teams come from: Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, USA, Russia, Turkey, Malaysia, Romania and Mongolia.

WNA Deputy Director General, Steve Kidd, has just led two more successful one-week courses as part of the training offered by the World Nuclear University.

The course held in China was the fifth one-week course held in that country, a sign of the rapid development of nuclear generation in that country.

The second course was held in South Korea, the third one-week course to be held there.

The WNU's one-week courses have now provided training to over 2,000 people.

The next one-week course is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the first time a WNU course is being held in that country.

Meanwhile, this year's six-week World Nuclear University Summer Institute is about to start at Christ Church, Oxford University.