Minutes of FNCA 2011 Workshop on Human Resources Development Project
November 15 - 18, 2011 Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening
Dr. VUONG Huu Tan, President of VINATOM delivered welcome remarks, and that was followed by opening address by Dr. Sueo MACHI, FNCA Coordinator of Japan.
Open Seminar
Dr. VUONG Huu Tan introduced perspective of nuclear science and technology in Vietnam. And Dr. Sueo MACHI made presentation on application of nuclear technology for development and welfare. Subsequently, Mr. PHAN Minh Tuan from Vietnam Electricity (EVN) introduced the first nuclear power project and human resources issues in Vietnam. These were followed by the presentation on Japan’s nuclear HRD program for supporting Asian countries, made by Dr. Kiyonobu YAMASHITA, Director of Nuclear Human Resources Development Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).
Session 1: FNCA Project Review
Dr. MACHI reported current FNCA activities, mentioning terminated projects and newly started projects. Dr. YAMASHITA explained overview and challenge of FNCA HRD project, looking back on previous WS. It was pointed that each member country should designate one person/organization as the single channel for national nuclear HRD.
Session 2: Key Strategies and Challenges of National Nuclear HRD (Country Report)
Country reports focusing on following topics were delivered by each country;
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National policy and management of nuclear HRD |
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National needs of HRD, ways and means of HRD |
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Roles of government, research institute and private companies, and concerted effort among them |
(See attachment 1)
Session 3: ANTEP and MEXT Nuclear Researchers Exchange Program
Ms. Aiko NAGAI from Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA) explained about the results of this year’s ANTEP questionnaire, as follows;
Needs for HRD Program on Radiation Safety |
15 |
Needs for HRD Program on Radioactive Waste Management |
14 |
Needs for HRD Program on RI Application |
26 |
Needs for HRD Program on Research Reactor |
32 |
Needs for HRD Program on Nuclear Power Reactor |
26 |
Needs for HRD Program on Administration |
16 |
Needs for HRD Program on Others |
9 |
Available Programs in FNCA member countries |
64 |
And she also proposed possible matching between ANTEP needs and programs offered by FNCA member countries.
Dr. LEE Ki-bog, Director of Nuclear Training Center of Korea Atomic Energy Institute (KAERI), and Dr. Dahlan bin Hj. MOHD, Senior Director of Malaysian Nuclear Agency introduced possible offer of program by each country.
Participants discussed about preferable way of ANTEP and NREP, and how to facilitate cooperative structure between member countries. It was proposed to put ANTEP survey for needs before the survey for programs.
Session 4: Strategy and Challenges of Nuclear HRD for Introduction of the 1st NPP
Mr. NGUYEN Manh Hung, Deputy Director of Nuclear Training Center of VINATOM, and Hendriyanto HADITJAHYONO, Director of Center for Education and Training of National Nuclear Energy Agency, introduced each effort of HRD toward introduction of the 1st NPP. Mr. HU Jianjun, Organization Development and HR Planning Branch Header of China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co., ltd (CGNPC), introduced the mechanism of training and education conducted in CGNPC as the success story. Mr. Hiroyuki HAMANO, Deputy General Manager (Chief Instructor) of Training Center, The Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) also explained about their experience to introduce the 1st NPP in Japan.
Session 5: Roles of Nuclear Research Institute for HRD of Nuclear Power
Dr. YAMASHITA outlined the resources such as experts and facilities that can be made available by nuclear research institutes in various member countries.
Dr. LEE in his lead speech touched that, from the very beginning, the South Korean strategies in nuclear power program have always been energy security and nuclear self-reliance via full localization of the nuclear power technology for the benefits of the Korean economy.
In round table discussion, various issues were brought up by the participants. There were suggestions that nuclear research institutes should;
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Provide and implement strategies in developing HRD programs |
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Serve as technical support organization (TSO) to implement NPP |
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Coordinate programs with universities |
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Involve in localization of nuclear technology |
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Directly involve in radioactive waste management |
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Directly involve in managing 19 infrastructure issues as outlined by IAEA NPP guidelines |
Session 6: HRD for Nuclear Power after Fukushima-1 Nuclear Accident
Dr. MACHI outlined the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP, and main lessons learned from it as follows;
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To place emergency power supply at the place higher than possible tsunami height and in water tight room |
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To prepare mobile power supply for emergency |
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To ensure ventilation of reactor containment vessel building and to install more hydrogen recombiners to avoid hydrogen explosion in the building, etc. |
In the round table discussion, some countries commented about importance of public information activities and HRD for communicators for radiation safety.
Session 7: Direction of Desirable roles of FNCA HRD Project
Dr. MACHI outlined specific proposals to be submitted to the FNCA Coordinators meeting as follows;
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Identifying the most urgent subjects for training courses for individual countries and regional group trainings to be provided by member countries |
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Encouraging member countries for hosting training courses |
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Local cost should be paid by host country and travel should be paid by participating countries |
Session 8: Summary and Conclusion
Based on the proposals submitted during session 7, Summary and Conclusion of this WS was drafted. (See attachment 2)
Closing session
Mr. CAO Dinh Thanh, Vice President of VINATOM and Dr. MACHI each delivered the closing remarks.
* On 18 November, WS participants had technical tour to 108 hospital.
Attachment 1: Outline of Country Report
Bangladesh
For long term sustainability of efficient manpower for HRD is emphasized in all sectors of the nuclear fields. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is going to embark on its first NPP project at Ruppoor with a capacity of 2 units each having 1000 MW. For obtaining efficient manpower in a timely manner for its first NPP the government as well as BAEC is planning for nuclear education and training both at home and abroad. Bangladesh hopes to get a good support from the vendor sources in terms of training and education for its first NPP, as well as from IAEA and MEXT. An estimated 1700 -1800 Manpower for the NPP is planned to be recruited over 3- 5 years in phases. They will be educated and trained for the future manpower of NPP.
China
China gives high priority to HRD and makes innovations in systems and mechanisms. China needs to increase total number of personnel, optimize the structure of personnel, increase the innovation capability, and modify personnel management system. In order to do that, China takes following measures;
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Increase the investment for the nuclear HRD |
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Optimize the incentive system for the nuclear HRD |
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Build the favorable environment for talent development |
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Reinforce the communication and coordination between the organizations in the nuclear industries |
Indonesia
According to decree of Chairman of National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), core competencies are as follows;
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Isotopes and radiation application |
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Nuclear fuel and nuclear material |
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Nuclear reactor and energy |
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Nuclear and radiation safety |
Currently, around 130 students learn nuclear technology in domestic universities. The Center of Education and Training of BATAN serves as the main nuclear training institute in Indonesia, collaborating with universities, hospitals and industrial companies. Indonesia has 2 challenges on human resources, which are the aging problem and the preparation of NPP personnel.
Japan
November 2010, Japan established JN-HRD Net (Japan Nuclear Human Resource Development Network) as the overall framework for nuclear HRD in Japan, consisting of nuclear related organizations. Domestically, JN-HRD Net plays the role of encouraging students to get interested in nuclear technology, supporting transfer of nuclear related knowledge, and so on. Internationally, JN-NRD Net supports nuclear HRD in the country planning to introduce nuclear energy in the near future as follows;
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Holding seminars |
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Dispatching Japanese experts |
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Consulting and supporting to establish nuclear HRD programs |
JN-HRD Net also collect information on nuclear HRD activities of Japan and abroad, and plays a role of contact office for inquiries from all over the world.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan needs qualified specialists for fast and sustainable development of nuclear industry, such as, reactor designers, operating personnel for future NPP, ecologists. Thus, it is planned to increase the number of the students training in these fields in the domestic universities due to enlarging the number of the state grants. Since the center of nuclear medicine and biophysics will be started to operate soon, qualified specialists in radiotherapy and diagnostics are urgently needed, as well as technologists for commercial radiation utilization and social engineers. It is required to train experts and university lecturers in such fields. Kazakhstan conducts HRD programs in cooperation with domestic/international institutes. Among them, it is notable that National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan (NNC) established International Training Center, in order to train seismologists from central Asia.
Korea
There is sharp increase in nuclear HRD needs, because of several reasons such as the export of nuclear plants to other countries, large scale nuclear R&D such as future nuclear system, small and medium sized reactors and advanced research reactor, construction of new domestic NPPs, and safety regulation and safeguards for above mentioned activities. The Korean National Nuclear Promotion Plan will continue to support for nuclear educations programs in universities, to maintain the qualified nuclear personnel in industries and R&D parts, and to encourage the global competitiveness of nuclear manpower. In Korea, the cooperation between institutions, academia, industries and foundation are very strong. Based on the strong domestic cooperative framework, Korea provides many kinds of international programs. Korea will strengthen the national networking of nuclear HRD programs focusing on integration and creation of education/training packages customized to the needs of domestic and international manpower for nuclear R&D and project implementation.
Malaysia
January 2011, Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation (MNPC) was established for planning, implementing and coordinating nuclear energy development program in Malaysia. The program is in line with IAEA’s 19 key infrastructure issues. Nuclear HRD program involves various related organizations, such as, government, R&D institutes, regulatory authority, industries, utilities, educational institutes. Malaysia has 20 public universities, in which 203 students study nuclear science and medical physics. And academic qualifications related to nuclear/radiation technology are available in Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia). It is identified that it is necessary to narrow the gap in terms of number of personnel and knowledge, and to expose the personnel to the training for nuclear power plant.
Mongolia
Mongolia has the plan to construct first NPP by 2015 and to start operation by 2021. Thus, preliminary research was conducted in 2011, in order to prepare feasibility study. The government makes HRD a priority, however, it is difficult to launch domestic education system with limited human resources. Mongolia has to start with definition of priority objectives, integration of activities of relevant organizations, and establishment of national nuclear research institute responsible for radioactive minerals exploration and research for NPP. Domestic universities organize the courses for nuclear technology, and also, some foreign countries offer training courses. At first stage, teachers and researchers for nurturing higher specified specialists are needed. In order to do that, following ways will be required;
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Dispatch teachers and engineers to abroad |
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Invite foreign teachers to provide lectures |
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Increase the graduate with bachelor and master |
In 2010 to 2020, Mongolia will dispatch 23~40 personnel to abroad each year.
The Philippines
The Nuclear Training Center of Philippines Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) conducts 18 different training courses including nuclear power and nuclear engineering for the staff of PNRI. The Center also offers basic training courses for school teachers and universities/faculties, and specific sector such as plant quarantine officers, retailers, etc. at their request. There is no national decision on embarking nuclear power, yet the Philippines studies the nuclear option, focusing on competencies needed by regulatory body and the utility. The Philippines is conducting HRD programs in cooperation with international/regional organizations, such as, IAEA, JAEA, US DOE, ANSTO, and ASNO. FNCA HRD project should be linked with the HRD programs of other international / regional organizations for the sake of utilization of resources and harmonization of training programs.
Vietnam
In reaction to the decision on embarking NPP, the government has set up policies and plans on HRD, including investment and upgrading for training and education facilities, improvement of training programs, and advanced training program, and development of policy to attract students, up to 2015. By 2020, Vietnam needs 2,400 engineers and 350 masters/doctors for nuclear power, and 650 engineers and 250 masters/doctors for nuclear applications. Vietnam has some challenges on HRD, such as attracting students to studying nuclear technology, establishment of domestic training program, and settlement of the workers. Domestic universities under the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM) are in charge of HRD. For successful HRD, there is need of the cooperation among related Ministries, organization and foreign countries.
Attachment 2: Conclusion and Recommendation of HRD Workshop
1. |
Roles of the FNCA HRD Project
(1) |
Meeting identified "major roles of the HRD project" as follows:
· Sharing experience and information on strategy, challenges and planning of nuclear HRD
· Enhancing cooperation among FNCA countries for addressing challenges of nuclear HRD
· Implementing and strengthening ANTEP
· Providing data base of international nuclear HRD program
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(2) |
Meeting requests to continue the HRD Project in view of importance of HRD for both nuclear power and radiation application through international cooperation.
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2. |
Meeting suggested that some member countries should designate an appropriate office or organization as single channel for improving coordination of HRD program with international cooperation to support national HRD.
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3. |
Meeting agreed that Instructor Training Program (ITP) is highly effective to enhance nuclear HRD. Therefore, Australia, Japan and Korea are requested to expand the program.
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4. |
Meeting suggested that specific areas which are highly needed for train ITP should be informed to Dr. Yamashita, Dr. Lee and Dr. Machi for planning of the nuclear power program in years to come. Then Japan and Korea will consider providing ITP better meeting the needs of recipient countries.
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5. |
Meeting noted that expert services by Australia, Japan and Korea for recipient member countries to support national HRD is highly needed, and that Japan’s NREP can be used for this purpose.
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6. |
With regards to ANTEP implementation:
1) |
The meeting underlined the importance of offer of program by Korea, Australia, and Malaysia in addition to Japan in order to meet varieties of demand of member countries. |
2) |
The meeting suggested that the subjects of offered program of ANTEP should be selected to meet the need of recipient countries. In this respect, need of recipient countries fist surveyed and programs should be offered after taking these needs into account through web-site. |
3) |
The meeting noted that the most member countries offer several training courses under ANTEP (Attachment 1). Training fee should be waived for FNCA member countries but travel and staying expenses should be paid by participants. |
4) |
The meeting requests that the government of recipient countries should provide travel and staying expenses since HRD is priority of their nuclear power program.
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7. |
With regards to HRD for introduction of the 1st nuclear power plant;
1) |
The meeting noted that vendors could be expected to provide necessary training for operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plant under the Contract, but basic training, such as nuclear reactor engineering and safety should be given by government of recipient country before practical training by vendors. |
2) |
The meeting noted the importance of project management for nuclear power program and suggested to use experience in hydraulic and thermal power plant projects. |
3) |
The meeting recommends that nuclear research institute should play significant roles to train nuclear engineers and operators for power plant by using research reactor and expertise for nuclear reactor physics, reactor safety, radiation protection and waste management.
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8. |
The meeting underlined that the importance of improved communication with the public after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Therefore HRD of nuclear communicators should be planned by member countries.
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9. |
It was agreed that member countries should explore the possibility of hosting training courses on specific subject. Local cost should be paid by host country and travel and staying expenses will be paid by participant country.
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10. |
It was agreed that actions taken by member countries following the agreement and conclusion should be reported in the next HRD Project Workshop.
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11. |
With regard the agenda of the next WS of HRD project, the meeting agreed followings items:
1) |
Sharing experience and information on strategy and challenges of nuclear HRD |
2) |
Finding ways and means to enhance cooperation among FNCA countries for addressing challenges of nuclear HRD |
3) |
Strengthening ANTEP |
4) |
Follow-up action taken by member countries for recommendation in the WS in 2011 |
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