Cotonou: The IAEA has launched a new advisory service aimed at developing educational programmes essential for safe and sustainable nuclear power, as well as other nuclear science and technology areas. Through the Integrated Nuclear Education Advisory Services (INEAS), the IAEA will assist countries in establishing nuclear educational programmes at both national levels and universities.
According to EMM, as more countries turn to nuclear science and technology, the need for enhanced education and competence-based curricula becomes increasingly critical, highlighted by Wei Huang, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Education, Planning and Knowledge Management. Academic institutions are crucial in this effort. By benchmarking their current capacities and developing long-term strategic plans, these institutions can help build a skilled workforce that meets national needs and supports the safe and sustainable use of nuclear technology.
The first INEAS missions were conducted in March 2025 at a national level in Benin and in April 2025 at the university level in Kazakhstan. Aizhan Baidildina, an associate professor at the D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, expressed gratitude towards the IAEA for sending experts to their university to support the development of nuclear energy infrastructure, which also proved helpful in designing educational programmes.
Kazakhstan is working alongside the IAEA to develop infrastructure for reintroducing nuclear power, aiming to complete its first nuclear power reactor within the next eight years. This project is expected to provide clean, reliable energy to the Central Asian nation of 19 million people. Scientific and technical personnel are being trained to operate the plant. Kazakhstan holds the second largest uranium reserves globally, accounting for 14 percent of the total, and currently operates research reactors as well as other nuclear installations related to the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.
The inaugural national INEAS mission was conducted earlier this year in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city. Benin is prioritizing education and capacity building in areas such as water management, nuclear medicine, security, and safety. The INEAS mission in Benin focused on developing guidance for assessing and planning sustainable nuclear education programmes, strengthening national coordination to build capability, and creating indicators to plan and monitor programme sustainability.
The mission in Benin brought together national stakeholders in nuclear education and training under one umbrella, creating a forum and action plan for future collaboration, including a preliminary assessment of the country’s educational capabilities.