A business model for the collaborative delivery of a master's degree in nuclear engineering by South African universities

Abstract

The worldwide focus on energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has brought on a renewed interest in nuclear power as an alternative energy source. Some two decades of low activity in the field of nuclear power has resulted in a global nuclear skills shortage, due to an aging worker corps and low levels of new entrants to the career. These factors have contributed to a new international trend for tertiary education institutions to collaborate in nuclear education in a number of regional and international networks. The present research arises from a need stated by the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa to develop the current skills base of nuclear engineers and to transfer and manage nuclear knowledge to upcoming engineers in South Africa. The main goal of this research was to develop a business model for the collaboration between South African universities for the delivery of a Master's degree in nuclear engineering. The model proposes an equitable method of allocating government funding to the participating universities, as well as an external entity through which possible industry funding will be applied to the costs of delivering the programme. A unique aspect of the model is a common set of lectured modules, while the participating universities will be free to practice their own chosen research forte.