A series of academic collaborations in nuclear energy and technology education and research has been initiated between City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and the University of Cambridge (Cambridge) after the signing of a key Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU between CityU’s College of Science and Engineering and the Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre (CNEC) will enable collaboration in nuclear energy and technology education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and boost related research fields, including nuclear systems, structural materials, nuclear fuels, instrumentation and control, risk assessment methods and computational modelling and simulation.

Both parties bring a huge amount of experience and talent to the nuclear energy and technology field. The MOU comes as CityU prepares to introduce Hong Kong’s first-ever Nuclear and Risk Engineering undergraduate programme later this year, catering for the growing need for nuclear professionals in the region.

The MOU will also enhance knowledge exchange and broaden students’ horizons by strengthening staff and student interactions from both universities.

“We are honoured to have the chance to collaborate with such a prestigious and renowned university,” said Professor Lu Jian, Dean of CityU’s College of Science and Engineering. “We believe both parties will benefit from working together to nurture professionals in the field and produce world-class research. We will do our best to communicate our partners’ insights to our students and academics.”

This invaluable knowledge exchange will contribute to the development and advancement of nuclear energy and technology in the region and around the globe, Professor Lu added.

“Cambridge is responding to the planned growth of nuclear power around the world,” said Professor A L Greer, Head of the CNEC and Head of the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at Cambridge. “This growth is nowhere greater than in China. We recognise that CityU has a strong team and ambitious plans for nuclear education and research. We are looking forward to working together in the common endeavour of developing safe and affordable nuclear energy for all.”

CityU’s new undergraduate programme in nuclear and risk engineering will train students in multidisciplinary topics related to nuclear engineering and risk engineering. The broad spectrum of related disciplines will help graduates cope with the ever-demanding nuclear energy market and evaluate risk in nuclear engineering so as to protect the environment accordingly.

CNEC is a major initiative at the University of Cambridge, uniting a range of specialist disciplines in nuclear energy research and technology. It represents a cross-disciplinary collaboration with a number of leading academics in various fields with networks throughout Cambridge.

CityU has also signed an MOU with the French Polytech Network for collaboration over the coming five years. The Network comprises 13 graduate schools of engineering across France. The parties will work together to promote and facilitate co-operation and exchange in areas of mutual interests, including student and faculty exchange, the possibility of developing joint curricula and research activities, and participation in European and international projects.