BACKGROUND

For a long period the IAEA is supporting the creation and operation of Regional Resource Centres (RRCs) in Nuclear Instrumentation. These centres have some advantages as compared to similar institutions located outside the region including localization, language, similar culture, etc. In addition, their existence is also a stimulus and an opportunity to share their knowledge, experience and facilities with other countries in the region. Hundreds of fellows have been trained in the RRCs on different subjects and also many experts from the RRCs were utilised to support other countries in the region. This contributed substantially to dissemination of the knowledge related to the nuclear instrumentation and also to cooperation among the countries in the region. After many years of functioning of the RRCs there is a need to review and assess the role and utilization of RRCs, to summarise the benefits of the RRCs for other countries in the particular regions as well as to identify drawbacks and limitations of the RRCs. It is also necessary to formulate recommendations for further improvements in operation of the RRCs to maximise the benefit for the laboratories in the regions.

OBJECTIVES

To discuss, review and assess the functions and operation of the Regional Resource Centres based on the previous experiences of the RRCs and their users, to prepare guidelines for improvements in the utilization of the centres in order to maximise the benefits for the whole regions in the future.

PARTICIPATION

A person will be eligible to participate only if nominated by the Government of an IAEA Member State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) or by an Organisation invited to participate. Nominations for participation should be received by the IAEA not later than 2nd April 2008. Three types of participants will be accepted:

• Persons from Regional Resource Centres (RRCs) involved in establishing and/or operation of the RRCs
• Beneficiaries and recipients of services provided by the RRCs, in particular fellows trained in RRCs
• Experts in Nuclear Instrumentation with experience in training.

A contribution from the participant in the form of a short abstract covering the subjects listed below will be necessary for the consideration for participation.

            1) Persons from a RRC

Description of the RRC, its activities, available facilities, fields of training provided, number of person trained, other services provided, legal status, financing of RRC, advantages/disadvantages of being  RRC, good/bad experiences, role of the IAEA in establishing and/or functioning of RRC, suggestions for the future.

2) Beneficiaries and recipients of services provided by RRCs, in particular fellows trained in RRC

Services received and their quality. Why he/she decided to be trained in the RRC. Type of training received, its duration and field. Weak/strong aspects of the training. Benefits for his/her country of origin. Was it possible to apply the knowledge received in his/her institution? If not, why? Was the training period suitable? What would you suggest to be implemented in order to improve the performance of the RRC? Which are the advantages/disadvantages of being trained in a RRC?

FINANCIAL SUPPPORT

As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay the costs for attendance to the meetings. However, limited funds may be made available to assist the attendance of selected participants and approved in accordance with the current Agency rules and regulations. Generally, not more than one financial grant will be awarded to a Member State. If Governments want to apply for financial support on behalf of their nominees, they should address specific requests to the IAEA Scientific Secretary.

MEETING FORMAT

To facilitate proceedings, participants are invited to contribute an oral presentation of subject material of relevance to the scope and objectives of this meeting. Participants should submit an abstract of the proposed presentation along with their nomination. The official language of the meeting is English. No interpretation will be provided. It is expected that me meeting will start at 09:00 on Monday 2nd June and conclude by 16:00 on Friday 6th June.
The outputs of discussions will be recorded for possible dissemination to Member States as an IAEA technical publication. Contributors of material to be included in the Agency proceedings are required to assign all copyrights or rights to publish to the Agency. Please complete and sign the Form B and send it to the IAEA Scientific Secretary by post or email. The authors should ensure that material they make available for possible publication by the IAEA does not include copyrighted material or other impediments for reproduction.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS

It is responsibility of all participants to make their own travel arrangements to/from Austria. Detailed information on accommodation, local transport to/from the meeting venue and other organizational details will be sent to all designated participants well in advance of the meeting.

VISA

Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria well in advance of entry. An official letter of invitation will be issued to all designated participants by the IAEA Scientific Secretary.

DEADLINES

• 02 April 2008: Submittal of requests to the IAEA for participation and financial support close.
• 15 April 2008: Participants informed of their acceptance of participation and request for financial support

IAEA SCIENTIFIC SECRETARY
Mr. Paulo H. B. Becker
Instrumentation Unit
IAEA Laboratories – Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
A-2444 – Seibersdorf – Austria
Tel: +431 2600 28623
Fax: +431 2600 28222
Email: P. Becker@iaea.org