Exploring the utilization of nuclear research reactors in distance education across international borders

A novel approach is presented that utilizes the concept of distance education in nuclear reactor physics laboratory education. This educational model is based on establishing an Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL). Video conferencing and online reactor instrumentation and data acquisition systems are utilized to provide reactor laboratory sessions to students at other academic institutions within or across national borders. This approach will be implemented for the first time between the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Jordan University of Science & Technology located at Irbid, Jordan and the Nuclear Reactor Program (i.e., the PULSTAR research reactor) at North Carolina State University in the United States. To enable the successful implementation of this new modality, in addition to technical issues, policy and regulatory matters pertaining to issues such as export control had to be addressed.