As the debate on nuclear energy centers on power plants, technology, and infrastructure, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), is shifting the conversation to the critical question: Who will educate and prepare the Filipino professionals who will design, regulate, operate, and advance the country’s future nuclear industry?
This question inspired the holding of the recent Government, University and Industry Leaders (GUILd) Summit on Nuclear Education Development at BatStateU Pablo Borbon Campus.
For BatStateU, the initiative reflects its broader mandate as the Philippines’ National Engineering University, anticipating technological frontiers and preparing the workforce that will enable the country’s long-term development.
‘We should discuss nuclear energy not through fear, but through education, understanding, and informed decision-making,’ University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo emphasized in his welcome address.
As the country’s energy needs continue to grow, Ronquillo said universities have a responsibility to prepare graduates equipped with the knowledge, technical competence, and ethical foundation required by emerging industries.
Representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Fulbright Philippines, the US Embassy, state universities and colleges, and industry organizations participated in discussions on strengthening nuclear education through coordinated action.
Why nuclear education development matters now
The summit was held as the Philippines explores nuclear energy as part of its long-term strategy to diversify energy sources, strengthen energy security, and support economic growth while pursuing lower-carbon electricity generation.
Experts at the summit emphasized that no nuclear program can succeed without a highly trained workforce. Engineers, scientists, physicists, regulators, health specialists, environmental experts, educators, policymakers, and communication professionals all play essential roles in ensuring that nuclear science and technology are applied safely and responsibly.
Developing this ecosystem requires years of investment in higher education-through faculty development, curriculum innovation, research capability, laboratory facilities, and international collaboration-long before large-scale infrastructure is introduced.
A university-led approach to national readiness
The summit demonstrated how universities can serve as convenors of national expertise by bringing together policymakers, educators, researchers, industry leaders, and international partners to align education with future workforce requirements. Central to the discussions was Project Nucleus (Nuclear Upskilling in Collaboration for Lifelong Learning, Engagement, and Sustainability), a collaborative initiative of BatStateU and CHED, with support from Fulbright Philippines.
The project seeks to strengthen the country’s higher education system by enhancing institutional capacity, developing academic programs, expanding faculty expertise, and fostering international collaboration in nuclear science and engineering.
It supports the Philippine Energy Plan’s goal of introducing nuclear energy into the country’s power generation mix, with an initial target of 1,200 megawatts (MW) by 2032 and expansion to 2,400 MW thereafter, by helping universities develop the human capital needed to sustain a future nuclear industry.
Presenting the initiative, CHED Director Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes of the Office of Programs and Standards Development underscored that higher education institutions must build the country’s academic foundations before nuclear infrastructure can be realized.
He emphasized that the country must first invest in competent faculty, modern curricula, research ecosystems, and globally competitive graduates-transforming interest in nuclear energy into the institutional capacity needed to support a safe, secure, and sustainable program.
Learning from global experience
The GUILd Summit connected Philippine initiatives with international and national perspectives on nuclear workforce development.
Nuclear science and engineering expert Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, a Fulbright Specialist, associate dean of the College of Science and Engineering, and professor of Nuclear Engineering at Idaho State University, highlighted the growing global demand for nuclear professionals and encouraged Philippine universities to strengthen faculty capability, research, and the integration of nuclear concepts into existing academic programs.
DOST-PNRI Career Scientist Dr. Alvie Astronomo presented the Philippine Nuclear Energy Roadmap, emphasizing workforce development as a key pillar of the country’s nuclear readiness under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Milestones Approach.
Meanwhile, DOE Nuclear Energy Division Chief Ms. Sheila D. Dela Cruz reaffirmed that human resource development remains central to the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program through specialized training, international cooperation, stakeholder engagement, and public education.
Collaboration beyond the classroom
The discussions reflected a growing recognition that preparing a future nuclear workforce cannot be accomplished by a single institution.
Government establishes policies and regulatory frameworks; universities educate future professionals and generate research; industry identifies workforce needs and provides practical training opportunities; and international partners contribute expertise, academic exchange, and technical cooperation.
This ‘whole-of-society’ approach was reinforced during the summit’s high-level panel discussion, ‘Building the Philippine Nuclear Talent Pipeline through Government-University-Industry Collaboration,’ which explored collaborative strategies for curriculum development, competency standards, faculty capability building, research partnerships, workforce development, and public engagement.
The event included the signing of the GUILd Declaration on Nuclear Education, signifying a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration in nuclear education, innovation, research, and workforce development.
George Mesthos, deputy director for Public Engagement of the US Embassy in the Philippines, reaffirmed the Embassy’s continued support for the country’s civil nuclear workforce development through educational exchanges, technical cooperation, and international partnerships.
BatStateU was declared as the Philippines’ National Engineering University through Republic Act 11694.