PROJECT 029: Regional Human Resource Development for Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards Management through a University Master’s Programme carried out in Thailand

Context:

Since Thai government has approved and is now implementing the Power Development Plan 2010 (for years 2010- 2030), the preparation for adopting nuclear power is now in progress. One major concern regarding this development is to develop the human resources required to implement the technology and to manage nuclear safety, security, and safeguards.

With the global concern regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, proper educational and training programmes for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards management will be necessary. Taking into account also that many countries in this region are now also considering nuclear power technology, possessing capability to manufacture dual-use equipment, and becoming more susceptible to proliferation risk, and that nuclear safety, security, and safeguards issues can affect all countries in the region as well as other countries around the world, the educational and training programmes shall also be planned to serve not only Thai students, but also students from all ASEAN countries.

Objective:

1. Improve South East Asian students’ skills on nuclear safety, security and safeguards by facilitating their participation in a Master’s Programme on nuclear non-proliferation. The Master’s Programme will be conducted by the Department of Nuclear Engineering of Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) in close collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (USA), the Office of Atoms for Peace (Thailand) and the Institute for Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards Studies (Thailand).

2. Foster networking activities in the region through the programme graduates that are expected to return to their home countries and promote and improve nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as to help prevent proliferation activities in the region.