The Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute: A Multidisciplinary Educational Approach for Integrated Nuclear Energy Safety, Security and Safeguards in the Middle East

The Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) at Khalifa University of Science and Technology was created as a regional institute offering education, research, and technical services that support nuclear energy safety, security, and safeguards (3S) objectives. A mixed methods approach—using the (1) Course Evaluation, (2) GNEII Alumni Survey, (3) Capstone Project, and (4) GNEII-Related Literature data sets—was used to evaluate the effect of implementing this multidisciplinary ‘3S’ educational program and the broader impact of the associated ‘3S’ multidisciplinary institute on nuclear energy human resource development. Data sets (1), (2), and (3) illustrate how well GNEII implemented this novel 3S curriculum and resulted in successful knowledge transfer. Data sets (2), (3), and (4) illustrate how well GNEII’s impact has positively influenced professional workplace behaviors and the institute’s broader reputation to support responsible nuclear energy program education. GNEII demonstrates one option for successfully providing a multidisciplinary, 3S curriculum to support broader nuclear infrastructure and human resource development aims.