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Report of
FNCA 2007 Workshop on Human Resources Development

August 27 - 31
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The FNCA Human Resources Development Workshop (WS) 2007 was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from August 27 to 31, 2007. The workshop was cosponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Badan Tenaga Atom Nasional (BATAN, representing the Indonesian National Atomic Energy Agency), and was organized by BATAN and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).

An open seminar was held in the morning on the first day, August 27, with about 55 attendants (including about 30 attendants from Indonesia). The seminar kicked off with opening speeches by the Indonesian coordinator, Dr. Hanafiah, Mr. Ryosuke Murayama (Director for International Nuclear Cooperator of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Mr. Adiwardojo, the Deputy Chairman of BATAN.
The opening speeches were followed by the guest speakers' presentations. The FNCA Coordinator of Japan, Dr. Sueo Machi, explained the basic energy policies adopted by the Japanese government, the basic principles of nuclear energy-related human resources development and FNCA nations' commitments. BATAN's Deputy Chairman, Mr. Adiwardojo, gave a speech about the ideals and facts concerning nuclear energy-related human resources development that will be essential for the introduction of nuclear electric power generation in Indonesia. Mr. Akira Kawahara, Chairperson of Atomic Energy Society of Japan, spoke of the experience of the Japanese nuclear energy industry concerning nuclear-related human resources development. There was an active question-and-answer session mainly concerning human resources development plans in Japan, the personnel operating nuclear power plants and measures taken to encourage understanding of nuclear energy, among many others.

The Workshop (WS) started in the afternoon on August 27. A total of 25 people were at the WS in addition to the Project Leaders (PL) of Human Resources Development (HRD) representing the nine FNCA nations: Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.
Dr. Machi, reported results of the Coordinators Meeting held in Japan in February 2007. PL of Japan, Dr. Sugimoto, explained the agenda and schedule for the WS, which was conducted accordingly.

(1) Country reports: recent topics about HRD programs and ANTEP's activities
  The PLs reported and discussed the status of nuclear-related activities in their respective countries, their plans and HRD activities planned for the future. Mr. Murayama, gave an explanation about the Japanese government's basic strategy the HRD programs and nuclear-related cooperation between the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and other Asian nations. Prof. Masanori Aritomi, Director of the Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, discussed the roles of HRD played by Japanese universities and current facts concerning this issue, and roles that might be played by Japanese universities in nuclear-related HRD initiatives developed in Asian nations. Dr. Aziz, Head of BATAN's cooperation, legal and public relations bureau, explained HRD technical activities based in Indonesia that are developed via BATAN and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
(2) Discussion on ANTEP
  Besides the needs of Asian countries in ensuring the effective development of their HRD programs, the HRD project also involves discussions on the introduction of Asian Nuclear Training and Education Program (ANTEP). A questionnaire on HRD-related needs in these Asian countries and on available programs was conducted in 2006. The results of the questionnaire were discussed at the WS held in China from July to August 2006. During the period between that time and August 2007, another three questionnaires were conducted.
  The 49 cases of the countries' needs identified in the 2006 questionnaire concern many areas such as radiation safety/protection, nuclear power engineering and the use of radiation. Twenty-five of these cases were not incorporated in the acceptance program. However, the national representatives agreed that all of these 25 cases would consistently represent a great deal of needs today. Similarly, the 74 cases of needs revealed in a questionnaire conducted in 2007 concern numerous areas. The workshop agreed that 50 of the 74 cases could be addressed with the use of programs that would be available in the future. One of the notable facts observed in the 2007 questionnaire was the tendency toward an increase of HRD factors concerning the introduction of nuclear power. This was recognized as an important issue that should be considered in projects that follow. All of the ten FNCA nations provided their own programs. Their enthusiasm will help facilitate the future activities of ANTEP.

(3) Conclusion
The WS then proceeded to review the three-year HRD initiative that was developed in Asian countries from 2005 through 2007. All of these countries were highly regarded for having significantly implemented the HRD actions they needed. The demand for good personnel is expected to grow and will be more important than ever. In this regard, it was agreed that the WS would provide Asian nations with valuable opportunities to share information.
Many of the FNCA nations consider the introduction of nuclear power. The questionnaire conducted in 2007 shows an increase of the HRD factors concerning the introduction of nuclear power. The participants concluded that they would continue to discuss what the WS could do about HRD issues concerning nuclear power.

The WS also included a visit to Center for Technology of Accelerator and Material Process (CAMPT).