Cultivation of Future Leaders: A Case Study From the China-IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School

Abstract

Abstract The development of nuclear energy, technology and applications programmes s creates a continuous need for a global workforce of highly qualified professionals with appropriate nuclear technical and managerial competence. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides the Nuclear Energy Management (NEM) School programme to help the Member States build and train future leaders in managing the national peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. As the country with the fastest growth of nuclear energy in the world, China has a complete nuclear industrial chain, and the development of nuclear energy enjoys incomparable advantages. China cooperates with IAEA and holds the China-IAEA NEM School to share its experience and contribute its wisdom to the global nuclear energy development, and to personnel training of emerging nuclear energy countries. This paper reports a case study from the China-IAEA NEM School which investigates the joint cultivation and training mode for young professionals who show managerial potentiality and inherent ability for future leadership positions in the field of nuclear energy and technology in IAEA’s Member States that plan to develop or are in the process of embarking upon a nuclear power programme. This study explores the school’s training system which is reflected in different aspects, i.e. training format, curriculum, and lecturers. A questionnaire survey is also conducted to analyze trainees’ evaluation of the school. The research findings are discussed in light of future developments and implications on young future leaders’ cultivation and training in the nuclear field in post COVID era.