RSRP visited the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) on July 28, 2022, to discuss the status of ongoing collaboration and identify potential new projects. The RURA is in charge of regulating the use of ionizing radiation in the country. Several topics were discussed including a national sources inventory, regulation development and capacity building.

RSRP visited Zambia, May 16-19, 2022, to finalize discussions on establishing a radiation protection post graduate program at the University of Zambia (UNZA), School of Health Sciences, with support from the Radiation Protection Authority (RPA) of Zambia and the US NRC. Participants discussed roles and responsibilities of UNZA, RPA and US NRC, course curricula and materials, selection of domestic and foreign course instructors, process for student selection, and the program’s schedule.

On May 11, 12, 17 and 18, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Radiation Sources Regulatory Partnership (RSRP) delivered a virtual training seminar for Jordan on licensing and inspection of Cyclotron PET practices.

On May 9, 10 and 11, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Radiation Source Regulatory Partnership (RSRP) delivered a virtual training seminar on “Cobalt-60 and Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Teletherapy Units Regulations and Inspections” for six regulatory staff from Niger. The seminar focused on several aspects of the US approach to regulating and inspecting teletherapy facilities, providing an overview of performance-based inspections and how inspections are conducted in the United States. RSRP instructors also presented a review of checklists and inspections documentation.

From May 4th to 5th AdSTM staff traveled to Armenia to meet under the auspices of the RSRP to hold a meeting related to further progress in the development of a new, updated version of the Advanced Regulatory Information System (ARIS). AdSTM staff met with the developers‘ team from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (NRSC) to assess the current stage of software development, and to discuss details of the final step to facilitate the first phase of ARIS upgrade process.

The US NRC Radiation Source Regulatory Partnership (RSRP) delivered a virtual training seminar for Paraguay and Ecuador on “Overview of Cyclotron PET Licensing Process”.

The USNRC delivered a virtual training for Paraguay focused on “Inspection of Cyclotron Operations”. The seminar consisted of two sessions, on April 20 & 21, 2022; with each session lasting approximately 2 hours. The seminar provided an overview of the key aspects to target during an inspection and the inspection with the cyclotron in stand by and in operation modes. Six (6) regulatory staff from the Regulatory Authority ARRN attended the seminar. 

From March 22-24, 2022, the U.S. NRC Radiation Sources Regulatory Partnership (RSRP) and International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) participated virtually in the 2022 ANNuR Annual Meeting. The US NRC delivered two presentations describing the US NRC collaboration with ANNuR and the details of the US NRC funded Master Program in Radiation Protection. This activity strengthened the collaboration of the US NRC with ANNuR as an organization and with the different countries individually. Several potential projects were identified for future discussions.

The US NRC delivered a 2-hour virtual training seminar on the U.S. approach to “Uranium Production Regulation” on March 21, 2022. The seminar provided an overview of risk and the law, the regulations and a summary containing a ten-step guide for developing a Uranium Production Regulatory Program. Seven regulatory staff from the Mauritania National Authority of Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (ARSN) attended the seminar. 

From December 7th to 8th AdSTM staff traveled to Armenia to meet under auspices of the RSRP to hold a meeting related to the development of a new, improved version of the Advanced Regulatory Information System (ARIS).  AdSTM staff met with a team of developers from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (NRSC) to assess the second step of software development discuss the details of the next steps to further facilitate the ARIS upgrade process.