Responsable: Manuel García León
Tipo de Proyecto/Ayuda: 6º Programa Marco de la U.E.
Referencia: FI6O-CT-2004-508839
Web: http://cordis.europa.eu/projects/rcn/74111_en.html
Fecha de Inicio: 01-10-2004
Fecha de Finalización: 30-09-2005

Empresa/Organismo financiador/es:

• Commission of the European Communities (Research Directorate-General)

Socios:

• Middlesex University (Nick Priest)
• University College Dublin (Peter Mitchell)
• Agricultural University of Norway (Brit Salbu)
• University of Veszprem (Akos Redey)
• Westlakes Research Institute (Tony Abbott)
• Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (Christian Tamponnet)
• Lund University (E. Holm)
• Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (P. Strand)

Equipo:

• Investigadores:
  • Rafael García-Tenorio García-Balmaseda

Resumen del proyecto:

The OECD/NEA report "Nuclear Education and Training: Cause for Concern?" showed that too few scientists were trained to meet the needs of current and future nuclear industries. Additional studies undertaken by European governments have confirmed the NEA findings: decreased student interest; decreased course numbers; ageing faculty members and facilities. Consequently, the European educational skill base has become fragmented and universities in most countries lack sufficient staff and equipment to provide education in all, but anew, nuclear areas. Of particular concern are special skill-base deficits within nuclear radiological protection, radioecology and radiochemistry at masters and doctorate levels. Skills in these areas are of strategic, as well as immediate, importance for the maintenance of nuclear operations and options within the evolving EU economy. They are also important for meeting the challenges presented by unpredicted events such as the Wind scale fire, Chernobyl accident as well as terrorist and sabotage activities. The objectives of EURAC are to strengthen the scientific academic competence and analytical skills within radiological protection, radioecology and radiochemistry and to secure the future recruitment of appropriately skilled post-graduates to meet the needs of European stakeholders. EURAC will assess the current and potential levels of post-graduate university provisioning these disciplines within the EU and new entrant nations - paying particular attention to scientific and administrative issues, infrastructure requirements, constraints and issues of human mobility. Based on consultations with stakeholders EURAC will focus on innovative solutions and best-coordinated practice within the current provision base. Actions that could be taken by relevant organisations in member states to secure the future of radiological protection, radiochemistry and radioecology post-graduate education will be recommended.