UNENE: An Update on Nuclear Education and Research

Abstract

University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (known as UNENE) was created in 2002 as a partnership between Industry and universities with the objectives of establishing a nuclear R&D program in universities, train and develop Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) to address the demographic gap, and to create a sustainable source of expertise for independent industry and public consultation. Seven years into its creation, UNENE is now a well established and fully functional framework with programs mainly focussing on education and research serving the industry at large. The educational component is in the form of an M. Eng. program mainly catering for working professionals by being offered on weekends and using distance-learning tools. It is intended to enhance competencies and build knowledge for students. The R&D programs are led by Industrial Research chairs (IRCs) and other prominent researchers in areas of importance to the industry. This paper examines the above topics and its outcomes as of March 2010.