A worldwide shortage of nuclear engineers, workers, scientists, and students has led the World Nuclear Association, an international trade group with headquarters in London, to launch a new global body: the World Nuclear University. Supported by both the WNA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the WNU plans to offer summer courses, strengthen links among academic and research institutions, and eventually establish an international standard for graduate degrees, says John Ritch, the WNAs director general.
The university was officially inaugurated in September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” initiative. The idea for creating an international university had been around for several years, but was taken up only last year by the WNA and IAEA. Former IAEA director general Hans Blix, who led the UN search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, will be the WNU’s first chancellor.
The WNU will operate...
