Walkthrough the 100 Postgraduate Educational Courses
<p>The Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources (PGEC) celebrates its 100th edition this year.</p>
<p>In its 37 years of existence, the course helped 120 countries build radiation safety knowledge of young graduates from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin American and the Caribbean. </p>
<p>More than 1800 PGEC participants, future leaders in the field of radiation safety, have successfully completed the 22-25 weeks of training.</p>
<p>PGEC students, teachers, directors, members of the Steering Committee advising IAEA on matters related to education and training, and IAEA staff - all play a role in the successful delivery of this key course in radiation protection and the safe use of radiation sources.</p>
<p>Let’s take a look at what they have to say about the past 100 PGEC courses!</p>
<p>The first PGEC course was organized in 1981 in Argentina. Since then, Argentina has regularly hosted the course with pre-training, classroom lectures, practical exercises, scientific visits and a research project included.</p>
<p>“I was a PGEC student in 1998. I decided to take part in the course because it built foundations for further developments in radiation safety,” said Nelida Serdeiro, from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Argentina.</p>
<p>The main goal of the PGEC is to prepare young graduates for their carriers as senior managers, experts and/or trainers.</p>
<p>This photo features the class of 1998.</p>
<p>“PGEC was like a milestone in my personal development, it allowed me to get further knowledge on radiation protection to develop my profession and then to contribute to a better regulatory authority,” said Nelida Serdeiro, from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Argentina – first from left squatting on the photo.</p>
<p>A 2015 IAEA survey showed that 74 percent of students experienced a long-term positive impact of the course on their professional development.</p>
<p>“Young graduates in the field of nuclear safety and applications in Africa have recognised that the PGEC is the most effective means of building their competence. Because some of them have been appointed as heads of the regulatory bodies, the interest in participation is very high with the potential for great career prospects,” said a member of the IAEA Steering Committee Augustine Faanu from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority in Ghana, who is seen on this photo presenting.</p>
<p>Every year, 20-30 participants in each regional center study different radiation subjects such as radiation quantities and measurements and the biological effects of ionizing radiation. They learn about radiation safety in different applications in medicine, industry and research, and about the international system of radiation protection and the regulatory framework.</p>
<p> “The most challenging part of the course was when I had to study a field that I am not involved during my professional routine job such as radiation safety in industrial radiography. The practical sessions with the guidance of the experienced lecturers helped,” said Syarul Iman from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the participant of the 100th PGEC course in Malaysia.</p>
<p>During PGEC, students do not learn only about radiation-related topics but also gain skills in training others. The course helps to create future teachers and trainers in radiation safety in the countries around the world.</p>
<p>“In the future, I want to share the knowledge and skills gained during PGEC by becoming a qualified trainer and work together with the experts from the various field for a better future,” said Syarul Iman from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the participant of the 100th PGEC course in Malaysia.</p>
<p>Based on the IAEA survey, 9 out of 10 students would recommend the PGEC to their peers.</p>
<p>“I decided to become a PGEC teacher because I feel the need to pass on my knowledge, technical experience and skills, in order to enhance safety measures and spread safety culture,” said the current PGEC teacher, Nelida Serdeiro, from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Argentina.</p>
<p>“Teaching is a very good practice to reinforce safety concepts, it´s a continuous improvement process of my competences,” she continued. </p>
<p>PGEC courses are regularly delivered across all world-regions in nine regional training centres, in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. PGECs directors are the key figures, who liaise with the IAEA and organize the courses.</p>
<p>“My responsibility was to ensure that we are meeting the learning objectives of the program in an efficient and effective way tailored to the needs and particularities of the participants,” Konstantinos Karfopoulos, Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE), Director of the PGEC conducted in Greece from 2014 to 2015.</p>
<p>The success of any training programme depends on the well-identified needs and sustainable outcomes in a form of skilled workforce. Well-trained radiation professionals are key to the safe use of radiation in medicine, industry and research. </p>
<p>“In the last 37 years, PGEC has significantly impacted the professional development of the participants, and contributed to strengthening the radiation safety infrastructures of participants’ countries. We are looking forward to continuously improving the PGEC, to be able to address the evolving needs of Member States in a better and more effective manner,” said Andrea Luciani, IAEA Radiation Safety Training Specialist responsible for PGEC programme.</p>
<p><strong>Text:</strong> Lenka Dojcanova/IAEA <br>
<strong>Photos:</strong> Archive of PGEC participants</p>
