A Roadmap for Nuclear Security and Safeguards Education Programs

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Material Protection, Control and Accounting (MPC&A) Program has been working with the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (MEPhI) since 1996 and Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) since 2005 to establish degree programs in nuclear security and safeguards in Russia through the MPC&A Education Project. The main objective of this project is to educate and train existing and future Russian experts in nuclear security and safeguards (S&S) methodology and nonproliferation policy? MEPhI and TPU faculty are recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their expertise in nuclear S&S and serve as consultants to other nations. Individuals who received degrees early in the program are advancing to mid-level positions within organizations and are (1) developing and implementing policy, (2) designing, installing and operating S&S systems and (3) conceptualizing the next generation of S&S systems. Both universities are now recognized as leaders in nuclear S&S education and have been assisting the IAEA in development of nuclear security curriculum and assisting other countries in developing their own educational programs in this field. The need for qualified nuclear S&S and nonproliferation experts is increasing internationally due to such factors as a retiring workforce, increasing demand for nuclear power, and the on-going need to secure nuclear materials. This paper describes the accomplishments of the MPC&A Education Project in establishing the nuclear S&S degree programs at MEPhI and TPU, and provides a roadmap for other institutions that are considering developing a similar program.