IAEA, Canadian university collaborate on nuclear education

The three-year agreement - formally called Practical Arrangements - was signed at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on 24 July by University of Saskatchewan (USask) Vice-President Research Baljit Singh and Mikhail Chudakov, deputy director and head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the IAEA.

The agreement provides a framework for the University of Saskatchewan to offer further education and training for professionals across Canada, as well as for expanding research and expertise in the field for the future. The agreement may also include creating a framework to integrate IAEA training materials into Canadian academic programmes, developing methodologies, tools and case studies related to nuclear knowledge management and collaborating to facilitate the use of nuclear facilities and research infrastructure for education, training and capacity building.

It also includes joint publications on nuclear education, regional and interregional networks and knowledge management as well as collaboration on the IAEA's International Nuclear Management Academy, a programme which supports universities in establishing and delivering master's degree programmes in nuclear technology management.

"For many decades now, the University of Saskatchewan has been making significant contributions to the advancement of nuclear science, supporting progress in nuclear energy, including fusion, as well as a variety of non-power applications in medicine, agriculture and hydrology," Chudakov said. "As nuclear power's global momentum continues to gather pace, collaborative endeavours like the one we are about to embark on are more important than ever."

Singh added: "The University of Saskatchewan is always striving to demonstrate the world-class impact of our research, scholarly and artistic work. This agreement with the IAEA will help grow the University of Saskatchewan's already strong foundation of nuclear research and education and help connect local talent and expertise with a global network."

"This agreement positions the University of Saskatchewan as a Canadian hub for nuclear training and innovation," said Jafar Soltan, Associate Dean for Research and Partnerships at the university. "The IAEA has already been a tremendous partner for the University of Saskatchewan as we continue to grow our capacity for nuclear research and education, and I look forward to the opportunities this agreement will help create for Canada's nuclear industry."

In 2025, University of Saskatchewan's College of Engineering hosted the Canadian National Nuclear Energy Management School in co-operation with the IAEA, an intensive programme aimed at supplementing mid-level professionals with nuclear energy education. Earlier this year, the College of Engineering also hosted the Executive programme for senior leaders and decision-makers across industry, government, and academia - the first executive-level IAEA nuclear management programme offered in Canada.