TEES Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI) Ph.D. student Matthew Boyd traveled to Japan in February to take part in the 6th International Symposium and Seminar on Global Nuclear Human Resource Development for Safety, Security, and Safeguards. The two-week-long event was hosted by the Academy for Global Nuclear Safety and Security Agent at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Nuclear University, The European Nuclear Education Network, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, the Japan chapter of the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management, and NSSPI. The focus for this year’s symposium was nuclear safety.
Boyd had the opportunity to interact with other graduate students and young professionals in the fields of nuclear safety, security, and safeguards from around the world through a program that included a two-day academic symposium, field education experiences, and a small-group seminar.
Professor Masaki Saito of Tokyo Tech and Texas A&M Department of Nuclear Engineering Department Head Dr. Yassin Hassan opened the symposium. After attending a series of lectures on safety and human resources development, the students and young professionals traveled to Hiroshima, where they visited Hiroshima University, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. According to Boyd, the experience of seeing first hand some of the destruction that occurred in Hiroshima was a stark reminder of “why we do what we do.”
The group then toured the MONJU fast breeder reactor and participated in various cultural exchange activities. The final part of the program consisted of a seminar in which the students and young professionals discussed various topics related to safety and gave group presentations on those topics in front of the larger group.
NSSPI students have attended each of the previous five International 3S symposia and seminars at Tokyo Tech, and NSSPI has engaged in several different student exchange activities with Tokyo Tech. These sorts of events afford students from both institutions unique opportunities to experience another culture and build global networks with students and young professionals in this area.
Boyd (far left), along with other students, receives certificate from Prof. Saito at the end of the seminar.
