The role of nuclear science and engineering in the twenty first century

For the sustainable development of the world and the welfare of mankind in the 21st century, nuclear energy and radiation including particle and photon beams must play an important role, although there is a large negative side in them. As in the 20th century, the activities of both research and education in Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) should be positively promoted and enhanced for safer nuclear energy and wider utilization of radiation and various beams and for the diminishment of their negative side. In this paper, a brief history of NSE in the 20th century and its implications are given first. As an example, the NSE activity in the 100 years' history of Kyoto University is shown. And then the 40 years' development of NSE in Japan is briefly introduced. Finally, presented is the way that the research and education in NSE in the 21st century should be. (author)