International Nuclear Security Education Network

One of the biggest challenges presented by the global nuclear energy revival is maintaining effective security wherever nuclear or other radioactive material is in use, storage and/or transport, and of associated facilities, especially in countries/regions of heightened security risk. Achieving this goal will require adequate infrastructure, equipment, and sufficient resources, but most importantly – trained and motivated personnel at all levels. The International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) was established in 2010 during an IAEA workshop by a group of experts from academia, international organizations, and professional nuclear material management associations. The INSEN mission is to promote excellence in nuclear security education in pursuit of the identified need for highly qualified nuclear security professionals. INSEN objectives are to promote among universities and other educational institutions worldwide the recently-developed IAEA Nuclear Security Series No 12 – Educational Programme in Nuclear Security setting out a model of a Nuclear Security Master of Science curriculum by (1) assisting in the development of comprehensive and up-to-date educational materials; (2) assisting in the development of faculty members in the area of nuclear security; and (3) promoting professional careers in nuclear security as the means of attracting the best and the brightest into the discipline. This paper discusses the need for higher education in nuclear security, explains how the IAEA Nuclear Security Series No 12 – Educational Programme in Nuclear Security can assist in developing academic programmes around the world, and informs the readers of the work and accomplishments of INSEN in its first year. Some examples of existing and emerging academic programmes in this area are also considered