The NEA Global Forum Nuclear Education National Workshop in Poland. Photo credit: Ministry of Energy of Poland
The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) convened the NEA Global Forum Nuclear Education National Workshop in Poland on 17-18 March 2026, bringing together representatives from Polish universities, government, industry, research and safety organisations, and international experts to discuss the future of nuclear education in Poland. The event was organised by the NEA in collaboration with the Polish Ministry of Energy and hosted by the Warsaw University of Technology.
The workshop comes at a pivotal moment for Poland, as under its Nuclear Power Programme (PPEJ), the country plans to deploy 6–9 GW of nuclear energy capacity through two large‑scale nuclear power stations. At the same time, the Polish government is exploring opportunities for small modular reactors (SMRs) to support industrial decarbonisation and to diversify the national energy mix. All these efforts will require a substantial number of highly skilled professionals capable of regulating, operating and maintaining nuclear facilities for decades to come; accordingly, how to address these challenges was at the heart of workshop discussions.
Such national workshops are a flagship initiative of the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy, created in 2021 to foster sustained collaboration among academic institutions, policymakers and stakeholders worldwide. National workshops have been held in several countries to help define strategic approaches to nuclear education and address pressing challenges in human capacity development.
The workshop in Poland examined the current state of nuclear and STEM education in the country, identifying opportunities to ensure alignment with evolving workforce needs. Seven sessions covered topics ranging from university capabilities and labour‑market projections to international best practices, student perspectives and pathways for building a comprehensive national strategy for higher nuclear education.
International speakers from the NEA Global Forum’s Council of Advisors also highlighted global trends, challenges and innovative approaches to attracting and retaining young talent in nuclear fields.
The workshop’s intended outcome was to help Polish stakeholders identify the principles of a national strategy for strengthening university education in fields relevant to nuclear energy development.
Participants of the NEA Global Forum Nuclear Education National Workshop in Poland. Photo credit: Ministry of Energy of Poland
During his mission to Poland, NEA Director‑General William D. Magwood, IV delivered a keynote address at the Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum in Gdańsk on 19 March. In his speech, he outlined the reasons behind the global resurgence of interest in nuclear energy, highlighting energy security, climate objectives and the need for resilient, diversified energy systems.
NEA Director-General Magwood delivers a keynote address at the Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum in Gdansk. Photo credit: BNEF
The Director‑General also held bilateral meetings with senior Polish officials and industry leaders, including with Wojciech Wrochna, Secretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure at the Ministry of Energy; Rafał Kasprów, CEO of Orlen Synthos Green Energy; and Andrzej Głowacki, President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA).
Discussions focused on Poland’s nuclear power programme, advances in new nuclear technologies and opportunities for continued co‑operation with the NEA.
Meetings with Wojciech Wrochna, Secretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure at the Ministry of Energy; and Andrzej Głowacki, President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA)
