NATIONAL CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR COMPETENCE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT - THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIATION PROTECTION REGULATORY INFRASTRUCTURE IN A SMALL ‘NON-NUCLEAR’ COUNTRY

摘要

Montenegro is small, developing “non-nuclear” country, the use of radiation sources being modest andrnlimited to ordinary medical and industrial applications. Even though - and taking into account current and nearfuturernstatus of the field - there is (or will be) significant need in nuclear knowledge. It goes about the followingrnareas: (i) medical applications (diagnostics, radiotherapy, palliation, sterilization of equipment, consumables,rnblood products, etc.), (ii) environmental protection (radioecology, low and medium activity radioactive wasternmanagement, analytical and monitoring services, etc.), (iii) industrial, geological, hydrological, agricultural,rnbiochemical and archaeological applications (non-destructive testing, various gauges, radioisotope labeling,rnetc.), (iv) scientific and educational applications, (v) radiation protection, emphasizing safety and security ofrnradiation sources, (vi) legislative and regulatory aspects, including complying to international safety/ securityrnnorms and joining international conventions in the field, (vii) preparedness and response to radiological andrnnuclear emergency situations, (viii) combating illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, (ix)rnforensic applications, (x) security systems based on X-ray and other nuclear methods, (xi) introduction of somernfuture topics (e.g. nuclear power for electricity generation and sea water desalination) and (xii) information andrncommunication with media. At present, there is clear a shortage in NK in the country, resulting i.a. from longrnlasting poor interest of young students for the subject University of Montenegro - the only state university inrnthe country - effectuates practically complete high education in natural and technical sciences. At the Faculty ofrnNatural Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Physics, there is a basic education in nuclear physics, whilernsome post-graduate curricula offer topics in radioecology, medical physics and radiation protection. The idearnof establishing a university Centre for Nuclear Competence and Knowledge Management (UCNC) is raisedrnwith intention of: (i) being national center of competence and expertise in nuclear related issues, (ii) actingrntowards assessing, creating, preserving and transferring NK, according to Montenegro needs, (iii) offeringrnconsultancies and technical support services to regulatory authorities and stakeholders, (iv) being advisory bodyrnto the government for nuclear related issues and (v) focal point for dissemination and exchange of NK, inrnparticular with the IAEA, (vi) promoting nuclear applications for peaceful purposes, in particular medicine andrnenvironmental protection, (vii) being national radiation protection centre, (viii) developing curricula for nuclearrnrelated studies at all levels (from elementary education to university degrees), (ix) supporting young studentsrnand scientists in nuclear related field and facilitate their exchange with reputed institutions abroad and (x)rngiving proper and timely information and comments to the public and media on relevant nuclear relatedrnsubjects. In parallel with passing through administrative procedure of being defined as new organizationalrnstructure at the university, UCNC will deal with: (i) organizing a series of training courses on radiationrnprotection for middle medical staff (nurses and technicians) working with radiation sources, (ii) training coursesrnfor medical doctors and engineers (maintenance) working with radiation sources, (iii) delivering public lecturesrn(also for media) on a series of topics of common interest (benefits and harmful effects of radiation, nuclearrnenergy for electricity production, nuclear research, etc.) and (iv) visiting schools and animating young peoplernfor joining studies of nuclear related sciences. Curricula will be developed first for post-graduate, then forrnbachelor studies on subjects like: application of radiation sources in medicine, radiation protection in medicine,rnapplication of radiation sources in industry, radiation protection in industry, dosimetry, nuclear analyticalrnmethods, radioecology, regulatory control of radiation sources (notification, inventory, licensing, inspection),rnradiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response, nuclear legislation and international nuclearrnlaw, etc. An IAEA assist expert mission is invited and is expected by mid 2009 to help towards meeting thernabove goals. Observers from the region would be welcome, too.