Nuclear education and training in response to industry and regulatory needs through the European Nuclear Education Network Association

Abstract

The temporary network established through the European Community's (EC) Fifth Framework Programme (FP) was given a more permanent character by the foundation of the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) Association, a nonprofit association established according to the French law of 1901, which pursues a pedagogic and scientific aim. Its objectives are the preservation and development of higher nuclear education and expertise. They are realised through cooperation between the European universities involved in education and research in nuclear disciplines, nuclear research centres and nuclear industry. Supported by the Fifth and Sixth FP of the EC, the ENEN Association established the delivery of the European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE) certificate. In cooperation with industry, regulatory bodies and national nuclear waste agencies in the ENEN-II project, higher education curricula are being developed and harmonised at the European level for radiation protection, radiochemistry, radioecology and underground nuclear waste disposal. Education and training courses have been developed and offered to materialise the core curricula and optional study fields in a European exchange structure. The involvement of the ENEN Association in Sixth EC FP projects expanded ENEN's activities to specialised courses for PhDs and postdoctoral researchers. The ENEN Association contributes to the management of nuclear knowledge within the European Union (EU) and on a global level through participation in the activities of the Asian Network for Education in Nuclear Technologies and of the World Nuclear University.