Nuclear science and technology in higher education in the Philippines

Education and training in nuclear science and technology in the Philippines are obtained from higher education institutions, and from courses offered by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), an institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is the sole government agency in charge of matters pertaining to nuclear science and technology, and the regulation of nuclear energy. The PNRI was tasked with fast-tracking nuclear education and information, together with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and some other government agencies which constituted the Subcommittee on Nuclear Power Public Education and Information, by virtue of Executive Order 243 enacted by then President Ramos on May 12, 1995. This Executive Order created the Nuclear Power Steering Committee; the Subcommittee on Nuclear Power Public Education and Information was one of the subcommittees under it. The Nuclear Power Steering Committee was created when the government was again considering the feasibility of the nuclear power option; this Committee had since become inactive because the government has not re-embarked on a nuclear power program. The Philippines had a nuclear power program in the 1970's. The first nuclear power plant was nearing completion when Chernobyl and Three Mile Island happened. Due to the change in political climate and strong anti-nuclear sentiment, the first nuclear power plant had been mothballed. However, there is a possibility for the introduction of nuclear power in the country's projected energy sources by the year 2025. The country has one research reactor, a 3 MW Triga reactor, but at the present time it is not operational and is under extended shutdown. In the event that the Philippines will again implement a nuclear power program, there will be a great need for M.S. and Ph.D. holders in nuclear engineering. There are less than five nuclear engineers in the country today. At present, there is no university in the Philippines offering this graduate degree, and linkages have to be made with other countries that offer this program. There has been no final decision on the fate of the research reactor in the Philippines which is on extended shutdown. There is also a need for M.S. and Ph.D. holders in Nuclear Engineering for the research reactor, as well as a need for personnel trained in the upgrade and repair of research reactors. If the PNRI will go in the direction of acquiring electron beams and accelerators, there are no technical personnel knowledgeable or trained in this technology. There is a need for professors and faculty with appropriate background and training to teach nuclear S and T, nuclear engineering topics in higher education institutions. Perhaps education and training of this faculty could be done through online learning, or a combination of online and CD-ROM based learning. The infrastructure for online or web-based learning is present in the Philippines. Most universities have internet connectivity. Internet cafes can be found in many places throughout the whole country. It may not be affordable for students if courses will be completely online; a combination of online and CD-ROM based learning will be more practical in the Philippines. The Philippines supports the distance learning initiatives of ANENT, as well as the exchange of students, teachers and researchers. This exchange will foster and preserve nuclear knowledge