Sunday, December 14, 2008

Reaching Out to the Next Generation

source: www.iaea.or.at

IAEA Hosts Hundreds of Students at Vienna HQ, Among Other Initiatives

Staff Report

12 December 2008

The IAEA is extending its reach to the next generation of potential nuclear practitioners. Approximately 2,500 students from all over the world visit the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria each year.

Students from high school up to the graduate level have the opportunity to learn about the IAEA’s work in the areas of safeguards and verification, nuclear science and applications, and nuclear safety and security. During their visits students get insight into the IAEA's critical work in less known yet all-important areas such as food security, health and child nutrition.

For example, the IAEA recently hosted a group of 25 Hungarian high school students, who were chosen from 2 small towns - Paks and Komlo. They were enthusiastic about the visit, and also got the chance to report on their vision of nuclear power.
IAEA staff from the Nuclear Energy and Public Information divisions dedicated an entire day to explaining and expounding upon the IAEA’s work in developed and developing countries around the world.

Ambassador and Resident Representative of Hungary, Ms. Györgyi Martin Zanathy and representative of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, Mr. Miklós Csuvár, both made presentations during the 28 October event. A Hungarian TV crew was also on hand and filmed the proceedings.

Oszvald Glöckler, Nuclear Power Engineer with the IAEA says, “This event is part of our effort to support education on issues of energy and international cooperation.”

The IAEA also has other outreach activities geared towards young people. It offers some job opportunities under a Junior Professional Officer programme, which gives young professionals a chance to gain work experience in an international environment.

The IAEA also accepts a limited number of interns each year. Internships are awarded to persons studying toward a university degree or who have recently received a degree. Interns are chosen from a number of fields including natural sciences, engineering, administration and management as well as the social sciences.

The IAEA has long been involved in the academic development of young people. Along with the Organisation For Economic Cooperation and Development´s Nuclear Energy Agency, the World Association of Nuclear Operators and the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA has supported the World Nuclear University (WNU) Summer Institute since its inception in 2005. Each year, the Institute invites about 100 WNU Fellows from approximately 35 countries. They are selected on several criteria, including leadership potential.

These young professionals are educated in a broad range of activities, which include nuclear energy issues, team-building and leadership exercises, where some of the world’s notable experts in the field will tutor and lead the Fellows through the programme.