Nuclear Security Education and Training Capacities Development at the University of Port Harcourt: Outcomes and Prospects

This paper focuses on the strategies and methods that we have used to develop capacities and competences for nuclear security education and training at the Centre for Nuclear Energy Studies (CNES), University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. From its start in 2010, CNES had engaged its senior academic staff to attend organized workshops on professional development courses in nuclear security on train-the-trainer basis. In these workshops, wide spectrums of nuclear security subjects taught include: radiation protection, physical protection, threat assessment, crime scene investigation, security culture, counterterrorism, detection of nuclear and radiological materials outside of regulatory control, nuclear safeguards and curriculum development. The outcomes to date are as follows: (1) upgraded the strength of nuclear security in its existing master’s degree programme in nuclear engineering by including two nuclear security courses, (2) commenced a postgraduate certificate programme in nuclear security science (PGC-NSS) in 2016/2017 academic session and has graduated three students, (3) trained over 50 Nigerians and other nationals in nuclear security, (4) received many sponsorship and support from the US Department of States’ Partnership for Nuclear Threat Reduction, (5) Set up an E-Classroom for distance learning, (6) secured an interim partnership with the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) for funding of the PGC-NSS for three academic sessions starting from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020 and (7) joined International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) and would be receiving radiation measurement equipment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) soon. With these outcomes, the envisaged areas for growth and improvement in nuclear security education at CNES include: (a) running of postgraduate diploma and master’s degree programmes in nuclear security science, (b) conducting and publishing result-oriented research in nuclear security, and (c) becoming a centre for industry driven solutions. We observed that to achieving these goals at CNES, it will be hinged on having a good nuclear security laboratory and library services, carrying out routine curricula upgrade, holding of regular outreach programmes with stakeholders, engaging in active networks for collaborations and using technology for teaching and learning.