The current status of the internet reactor laboratory kartini research reactor for distance learning especially for higher education

Abstract

The Kartini Reactor has been operating safely since March 1979 and has been used for research, education and training. Specifically for education and training, it has been utilized for online reactor physics practicum methods by utilizing the Kartini Reactor. This activity aims to enable students to learn and practice about nuclear reactors with distance learning methods, it adopts from the IAEA program under the name Internet based Reactor Laboratory (IRL). IRL is a physics reactor learning method using the internet that is used in distance learning with the reactor physics experiment guide (Protocol) which is already in regular practice (on site). IRL activities began in 2012 from the results of the reactor workshop at NCSU-America which has operated the IRL, then implemented at the Kartini reactor. IRL was first introduced at the International Youth Nuclear Summit in Jakarta in 2014 and introduced reactor operations to find out the dynamics of the operation of the Kartini reactor in collaboration with Adisutjipto College of Technology (STTA). Then continued collaboration between Center for Accelerator Science and Technology (PSTA) Yogyakarta, Center for Empowerment of Informatics and Nuclear Strategic Area (PPIKSN-BATAN) and Polytechnic Institute of Nuclear Technology (STTN-BATAN). Through the IAEA expert mission in 2017, the IRL system works properly, although limited in three protocols which are reactor operation, power calibration, and fuel temperature reactivity coefficient. The IRL program was last tested for distance learning for FMIPA-UGM students in 2019, it has shown a good performance and we agreed to continue the IRL program as one of the student practicum activities.