Officials from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) and the University of Toronto recently gathered at U of T's Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus to launch a joint initiative that will nurture the next generation of nuclear science and engineering talent and expand collaboration in research and innovation.
The parties signed a memorandum of understanding that marked U of T's entry into CNL's Academic Partnership Program . Established in 2023, the program catalyzes structured, long-term collaboration with selected Canadian universities, colleges and technical institutions.
The partnership comes as Canada accelerates its transition to a more electrified, low-carbon economy - a shift that increases the need for highly qualified talent, world-class research and stronger collaboration between universities, government and industry.
"We are at a transformative moment in the global energy landscape," says Nazir Kherani, a professor in the department of materials science and engineering and the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering who is one of the principal investigators leading the partnership.
"As society moves toward greater electrification - from transportation and manufacturing to artificial intelligence and advanced computing - the demand for clean, reliable and resilient sources of electricity is growing rapidly. This is driving a global renaissance in nuclear energy and creating new opportunities for research, innovation and talent development.
"For decades, nuclear technology - including technology developed here in Canada and exported all over the world - has provided reliable, large-scale, low-emission energy. Today, the need for that energy is greater than ever. On top of that, new fission technologies, including small modular reactors, are broadening the applications of nuclear energy while fusion science is opening exciting possibilities for the decades ahead."
Prior to joining U of T, Kherani served as a senior scientist-engineer at Ontario Hydro, with sabbatical work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States and the Forschungszentrum Jülich (formerly the Nuclear Research Centre) in Germany.
"Canada's nuclear capability has been built over many decades through leading organizations such as Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.," says Kherani.
"Their combination of world-class facilities, such as CNL's Chalk River Laboratories , and technical expertise creates an exceptional environment for advancing research, accelerating innovation and training the next generation of talent."
The academic partnership opens up new pathways for experiential learning, including: student research placements at Chalk River Laboratories, participation in specialized workshops and conferences; and expanded collaboration between university and industry researchers.
Potential areas of joint research include advanced reactor systems, advanced materials for next-generation reactors, nuclear fuels and fusion energy. They also include: nuclear medicine and isotope technologies; artificial intelligence and digital technologies for nuclear applications; and studies examining the social, economic and policy dimensions of nuclear deployment.
The collaboration is expected to support guest lectures by nuclear experts from CNL, joint technical workshops and the development of jointly offered micro-credential programs that will benefit graduate students and industry professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of emerging nuclear technologies.
The agreement marks an important milestone for Atomic Energy Materials & Systems (AEMS) , a U of T-wide initiative designed to strengthen nuclear education, research, innovation and strategic partnerships. Kherani serves as the founding academic lead of AEMS; earlier this year, he was among the key architects of a new master of engineering emphasis in nuclear engineering .
"The University of Toronto has been a valued collaborator of CNL for many years, and we are delighted to formally welcome them to our Academic Partnership Program," says Gina Strati, director of CNL's Academic Partnership Program.
"This memorandum of understanding represents the next step in our relationship, and we look forward to working closely together to create new opportunities for students and researchers."
"The University of Toronto's world-class research capabilities and exceptional talent make it a valued partner for AECL," says Karen Huynh, director, strategic programs and partnerships at AECL.
"Through this collaboration, we are connecting academic excellence with the unique expertise and infrastructure at Chalk River Laboratories to advance innovation, develop the next generation of nuclear professionals and strengthen Canada's nuclear science and technology ecosystem."
Looking ahead, Kherani sees the partnership as an investment in Canada's long-term prosperity, energy security and technological leadership.
"The world's transition toward an increasingly electrified economy is driving unprecedented demand for clean, reliable energy," he says.
"Nuclear technologies - from medical isotopes and advanced reactors to fusion energy - will be central to meeting that demand while improving health, strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth.
"Building Canada's nuclear future requires sustained collaboration among universities, national laboratories, government and industry. Through partnerships like this, we are building the talent, research capacity and innovation ecosystem that will ensure Canada remains a global leader in nuclear science and engineering for decades to come."
