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TERMS OF REFERENCE Canadian Nuclear Society Universities Committee

• Mandate:
• The Universities Committee has the mandate to assist in the coordination the activities of Canadian universities with nuclear programs in keeping with the CNS objective of acting as a forum for the exchange of information relating to nuclear technology among specialists and members of national and international scientific and learned societies.
• Background:
• The purpose is to determine the next steps for our nuclear education programs in view of changes and opportunities in the Canadian nuclear industry.
• Considering that educated and trained personnel are the nuclear industry's main tool and greatest asset, efforts spent on education and training coordination have a large payback. Benefits accrue to industry, to universities, to students and to employees.
• Possible activities:
• Form the enabling group and revise the mandate and proposed activities. What is our vision?
• Determine the respective roles of industry and the university in carrying out the mandate.
• Determine the educational and training needs of the nuclear industry.
• Consider the role and limitations of the universities.
• Information Management
• Determine what program information should be gathered and for what purpose.
• Develop an inventory of currently available material and programs.
• Develop an inventory of expertise.
• Determine a mechanism for information dissemination.
• Coordinate curriculum development in university nuclear programs
• In the current programs, identify respective strengths and weaknesses. Identify areas of collaboration / cooperation. Consider shared resources (courses, course material, expertise, etc.).
• Assist the universities in developing short and long term collective visions. Should we be shifting our focus to the non-power side of the nuclear industry?
• Assist in the coordination of the Thailand initiative.
• Assist in the development of professional upgrade programs.
• Assist in the development of courses for the lay audience.
• Explore distance learning possibilities.
• Consider the formation of a Network of the Centres of Excellence.
• Consider McMaster Nuclear Reactor as a National Educational Facility.
• Relation to Other Committees
• This committee is unique within the CNS. There is no conflict with the Education Committee since that committee is focused on outreach to grade schools, high schools and the general public. The Universities Committee does not have any mandate for public affaires except for the possible development of course material suitable for the lay public. The development and dissemination of such material would be closely coordinated with the Education Committee.
• The Annual CNS Student Conference will be administered through the Universities Committee.
• Time Frame
• This committee would meet nominally once a quarter.
• Efforts would be ongoing.
• Membership
• There would likely be six universities represented: UNB, Ecole Polytechnique, RMC, U of T, McMaster and U of Saskatoon.
• There would be at least one CNS officer on the committee as ex-officio members.
• Cost
• Since the committee would be comprised predominantly of university professors who usually have no explicit funding for committee work, some CNS funds would need to be allocated.
• As much as possible, meetings would take place at CNS hosted events to reduce travel costs.
• Extensive use would be made of electronic communication.
• It is suggested that a budget of $1000 per annum per committee member be allocated. Maximum allocation would be $6000 per annum.

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