Building a sustainable nuclear energy programme isn’t just about investment in power plants, technology, and infrastructure. It also relies on highly trained manpower for the design, operation, maintenance, and control of nuclear plants. Scientists, engineers, researchers, and technical professionals are an integral part of providing the safe, efficient, and peaceful use of nuclear technology. The case of specialised nuclear education in Pakistan is a significant instance of investing in human capital to strengthen Pakistan’s nuclear sector in the long run. The Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) has played a significant role in this journey. PIEAS was established as “Reactors School” under the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) in 1967 for imparting special training to young engineers and scientists affiliated with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the field of nuclear technology. Slowly, the institution began to grow academically and research-wise.
In 1976, it was renamed the Centre for Nuclear Studies, and later, in 1997 it was renamed the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It was granted degree-awarding institute status by the Government of Pakistan in April 2000. The establishment of this institution is a gradual step towards developing Pakistan’s capabilities in the field of nuclear science, engineering, and allied areas. However, one of the major contributions of PIEAS is that it has not only produced qualified personnel for Pakistan’s nuclear science and technology sector, but it has also contributed in numerous other ways. The institute’s Department of Nuclear Engineering says that over the last 40 years, over 1,300 engineers and scientists with MS Nuclear Engineering degrees have graduated from this programme. It also has graduate programs in Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Physics. The department offers students practical training and research in a unique set-up comprising the on-campus Pakistan Research Reactor-II (PARR-II) for training and research and Pakistan Research Reactor-I (PARR-I) at PINSTECH for conducting experiments. Such academic and technical arrangements enable a link between the theoretical aspects and the technical demands involved in nuclear engineering. This human-resource development takes on a greater significance in the context of Pakistan’s growing civilian nuclear power programme.
IAEA’s Country Nuclear Power Profiles show that as of 2026, Pakistan operated six nuclear power reactors of a total generating capacity of 3,262 megawatts electric (MWe), with one more reactor, Chashma-5, with a capacity of 1,200 MWe, in construction. Operators and future development of nuclear power plants need people with knowledge in reactor engineering, radiation protection, nuclear safety, maintenance, quality assurance, and other specific fields. Hence, the preparation of human resources with the necessary qualifications is still an important part of the country’s nuclear energy programme. PIEAS’s engagement isn’t confined to academic degree programmes. Its research efforts and institutional partnerships offer opportunities for the transfer of scientific knowledge to implementation.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has several main institutes for the development of skilled human resources, which include PIEAS, CHASNUPP Centre of Nuclear Training (CHASCENT) and the Karachi Institute of Power Engineering (KINPOE). These institutions provide training and education for different needs in Pakistan’s nuclear science and technology sector. The complementary roles they play show that a sustainable civil nuclear programme needs people with various qualifications, from engineers and scientists at university level to specialised technical people and plant operators. Cooperation with the IAEA is one of the key aspects of PIEAS’s development. In 2019, the Agency shared and designated PIEAS as an IAEA Collaborating Centre on the multidisciplinary application of advanced and innovative nuclear technologies for research, development and capacity building. In 2023, this designation was renewed for the 2023–2027 period. Three main themes are addressed in the collaboration: modelling and simulation, with the capacity to verify and validate; experimental nuclear engineering; and education and training. This collaboration creates an opportunity for exchange of technical expertise and research activities.
PIEAS has arranged IAEA-associated training activities related to computational development in nuclear reactor design, nuclear emergency management, and emergency preparedness and response for nuclear and radiological emergencies. These activities facilitate knowledge sharing and professional growth among experts and enhance their technical knowledge. Pakistan is looking for the benefits of this collaboration in reaching out to the international scientific and technical networks, while also sharing its experience with others. Pakistan is a member of the IAEA and is involved in the IAEA activities on Peaceful uses of Nuclear technology and nuclear power, research, health, agriculture, and other development-related activities. As a Collaborating Centre, PIEAS has the opportunity to share its research and educational experience with the wider IAEA community and to gain from the international cooperation. This relationship also contributes to the overall goal of enhancing national capacity through education, research and professional training. Despite this, however, the development of nuclear energy on a sustainable basis is a continuous process that involves ongoing investment in human resources.
The field of nuclear technology is changing as growing demand for advanced reactor systems and digital instrumentation and control, computer-based modelling, cybersecurity, nuclear knowledge management and emergency preparedness skills. Educational institutions will therefore need to have specialised academic programs that adapt to evolving technical needs. Academic training needs should be linked to professional and operational needs through increased cooperation among universities, research institutions, nuclear operators and nuclear regulators. It is also essential to have knowledge management. Nuclear programmes require a body of institutional knowledge: the learning and transfer of technical know-how from experienced experts to younger generations. Institutions can retain and build upon this expertise through structured training, professional development, research opportunities and cooperation with international organisations. The IAEA’s activities in the field of nuclear knowledge management and human-resource development provide a suitable model of how to contribute to these activities.
This role would be further strengthened by greater emphasis on emerging technologies, interdisciplinary research and professional knowledge exchange. There are also opportunities for Pakistani experts to be part of international research and capacity-building programs through continued cooperation. Pakistan’s experience shows that human and institutional development is essential for the development of nuclear technology. PIEAS demonstrates that a specialised training institution can transform into a higher education, research, and international cooperation centre. Its experience highlights the importance of human capital in sustaining nuclear programmes and ensuring the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology. Sustainable nuclear development is not just about installed generating capacity and technological infrastructure, but also about the knowledge, expertise and institutional capacities that enable these achievements.
