European Scientists focus on maintaining the nuclear knowledge base.

The need to preserve, enhance or strengthen nuclear knowledge has been recognised worldwide in recent years. Among others, ‘networking to maintain nuclear competence through education and training’ was recommended in 2001 by an expert panel to the European Commission (EUR 19150 EN, 2000).

It appears that within the European university education and training framework, nuclear engineering is presently still sufficiently covered, although somewhat
fragmented. However, it has been observed that several areas are at risk in the very near future, including safety-relevant fields such as reactor physics and nuclear thermal-hydraulics. Furthermore, in some countries deficiencies have been identified in areas such as the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, waste management and decommissioning.

To overcome these risks and deficiencies, it is of very high importance that the
European countries work more closely together. Harmonisation and improvement of the
nuclear education and training have to take place at an international level...