1. Regional Workshop on National Strategies for Education and Training (E&T)
in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety:
Policy Framework and Analysis of E&T Needs
5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
ALBANIA
Initiatives and achievements towards the establishment of a national policy and strategy
SESSION 2
Sharing Member States’ experience on establishing a National Strategy
Rustem PACI - Radiation Protection Office
Brunilda DACI - Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics

2. 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
Introduction
Regulatory Body Establishment and Independence
The Radiation Protection Act No. 8025, date amended, establishes the:
Radiation Protection Commission (RPC) as the Regulatory Body; and the
Radiation Protection Office (RPO) as its Executive Body. The Chairman of RPO is Secretary of RPC.
The functions, powers and duties of the RPC include:
Prepare regulations, and issues guides and Codes of Practice for radiation protection and safety;
overseeing enforcement;
issuing licenses;
technical management of all national and local authorities for immediate enforcement of necessary procedures for mitigation of the effects of nuclear accidents;
making recommendations and proposals for the improvement of the radiation protection legislation;
cooperating with national and international organizations on radiation protection issues;
defining the structure of the RPO;
nomination/dismissal of the Chairman of PRO; and
cooperation with the State Labor Inspectorate.
The functions of the RPO are:
preparation of information on licenses (applications, suspension or cancelation) for RPC approval;
enforcement;
inspection;
collection of information and performance of necessary analysis and measurements for radiation protection control;
preparation of relevant information, including reports, for Commission meetings.
keeps national inventory of radioactive sources;
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3. Introduction (RP Infrastructure)
Ministry of Health
Radiation Protection Commission
Authorized Agencies
Radiation Protection Office
Legislation
Licensing
Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics
Institute of Public health
Instrument calibration
Personal dosimetry
Environment control
Waste management
Expertise and Training
Medical Surveillance
Inspection enforcement
Medicine
Waste facilities
Industry
Research
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Institute of Radiation
Institute of Radiation Protection
Expertise and Training
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Introduction
The national legal and regulatory framework includes requirements for education, training, qualification and competence in radiation protection and safety for all the relevant personnel (e.g. regulatory staff, qualified experts, radiation protection officers, workers), in line with IAEA Safety Standards. Education and training programs are developed and implemented to comply with the above requirements.
Law "On Protection from Ionizing Radiation ", No. 8025, date ,
Law. 9973, date "On some amendments and additions to Law no. 8025, dated " On Protection from Ionizing Radiation “
Decision No. 10, date of Council of Ministers for the approval of the Regulation "On licensing and inspection of activities with ionizing radiation sources ",
Decision No. 543, date of Council of Ministers for the approval of the Regulation" On safe handling with ionizing radiation sources",
Decision No. 590, date of the Council of Ministers for the approval of Regulation “On the protection of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation”
Decision No 481, date of Council of Minister for the approval of the regulation ”On safety of the public to the exposure caused by ionizing radiation sources”,
Decision No. 229, date of Council of Ministers “On safety to medical exposures with ionizing radiation sources”,
Decision No.1438/6 date of Minister of Health on “Program for training of  protection  from ionizing radiation”.
Decision No. 434, Date of Minister of Health on “Education and Training for Protection and Safety from ionizing radiation and steps for Implementation”.
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5. 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
Introduction (IANP)
DIRECTOR
(NLO)
DEPARTMENT OF RADIOMETRY AND RADIOCHEMISTRY
DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYTICAL METHODS
DEPARTAMENT OF MONITORING NETWORKS
ADMINISTRATION
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6. 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
Introduction
IANP is a focal point and the main user and provider of nuclear and nuclear related techniques in the country.
Conducts research, applications, education and expert training in this field.
Provides advice and services to the governmental and other institutions related with nuclear applications, radiological emergency response, radioactive waste management, security of nuclear and radiological facilities, combating illicit trafficking of radioactive materials.
Main transporter of radioactive materials and sources for whole country.
At the IANP was constructed and is in operation, since 1998, a centralised facility for management of liquid/solid radioactive wastes, disused solid radioactive sources and temporary storage facility for radioactive waste.
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7. 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
Introduction
There are a large number of institutions and centers that are using ionizing radiation sources, in:
-industry, -medicine, -research, -education
Moderate use and applications of radioactive sources and radioisotopic methods.
Consequently the number of employees who use these resources increased. Currently:
- ~ 460 employees are working with rad-sources
- 12 qualified experts and 6 medical physicists are recognized by RPC
- 10 medical physicists graduated from Polytechnic University of Tirana (PUT), FPEME Master Professional.
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8. 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus
Introduction
Industrial application
Medical application
Science and education application
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Introduction
Number and type of activities planned for the current or the next 10 years:
a. Industrial Centers for activities with rad-sources cat 1 to 5.
b. Medical Centers for activities with rad sources.
"Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center, The Radiotherapy Department. (radioactive sealed sources, (cat I and III)
"Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center”, Department of Nuclear Medicine (opened rad sources Mo-99/Tc-99m and I-131, Diagnosis and Therapy)
"Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center, Department of Radiology (X-ray generators, CT scanners, X-ray, angiography, mammography, C-Arm)
Hospital No.5 (Linear Accelerator CT-Simulator and a calibration source Sr-90)
Hospital Hygeia (Linear Accelerator, X-ray, mammography and I-131 and Mo-99/Tc-99m)
American –Hospital, (Department of Nuclear Medicine (I-131, Mo-99/Tc-99m) and the Department of Radiology)
c. Scientific center for activities with ionizing radiation sources in science:
-IANP (closed and opened rad sources (Cat I, III, IV and X-ray generators).
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10. Moving towards a National Policy/Strategy
Two main areas of infrastructures for education and training radiation, transport and waste safety:
a) Legal and regulatory framework for education and training;
b) Policies and strategies for education and training.
National Policy/Strategy is considered as an effective mechanism
To build competence in radiation protection and safety
To build sustainable radiation safety infrastructure
To ensure high levels of training for regulators, radiation users, qualified experts and radiation protection officers
To ensure safe working practices and minimized radiation exposures.
To optimize national resources
To comply with the courses/programme in radiation protection
To comply with IAEA Safety Standards
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11. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
An important document on:
“Education and Training for Protection and Safety from ionizing radiation and Steps for Implementation”,
No. 434, Date , is in force.
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12. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
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13. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
Goal of the Policy
To achieve development in education and training in radiation protection and safety
To increase significantly the capacity of all institutions involved in this process
To further improve standards for education in this field in compliance with the EU and the IAEA criteria.
Organizations (stakeholders) that were involved
- RPC (Lead organization)
- IANP (stakeholders, National Training center)
- FIMIF PUT (stakeholders, Education for medical physicist)
The Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Health are responsible for the implementation of Education and Training Policy/Strategy in Albania.
Steering Committee / Working groups
- RPC has established a working group for NP&S on ET
An analysis of training needs has been done by the group in charge of this duty, on the basis of the information collected.
- The Working Group matches the identified education and training needs with the existing national capability for the provision of education and training.
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14. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
Role of Regulatory Authority
- The regulatory authority has an important role to play in the establishment of the strategy " to identify the responsibilities of each individual, including higher levels of management, protection and safety of radiation and every individual to be trained and appropriately qualified “ and has to “ensure the preparation of an adequate legal framework, which requires appropriate training for all personnel engaged in activities related to radiation safety and physical security of radiation sources " .
RPC in cooperation with relevant ministries has planned the entire program for education and training through the Polytechnic University and the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics (IANP) as the National Training Center.
Role of the Training Centre
- Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics is determined by the RPC as the central institution for Training and Testing of all categories and will provide certification to meet EU and the IAEA criteria.
- The testing process in Radiation protection of employees is conducted by a joint committee with representatives from IANP and RPO.
- Two private institutions (IoR, IRP) cover training only for staff.
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15. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
Categories of personnel concerned
- Qualified Expert
 - Responsible for radiation protection. 
 - Employees who use radiation sources.
 - Employees of the regulatory body.
Formalized process
Minister of Health approved the policy/strategy by a
Decision No. 434, Date
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16. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
I. Design of the National Education and Training Programme (NETP)
Training Program in the field of Radiation Protection,
No. 1438/6 date 12 April 2011, is approved by RPC, and addresses:
- Qualified expert
- Responsible of radiation protection (RPO)
- Employees who use the ionizing radiation sources
- Employees of regulatory body
- Institutions to carry out the training of employees
- Retraining
- Assessment and recognition of training
- Syllabus of courses for radiation protection
- Recognition of qualified expert
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17. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
National courses
Participation at IAEA Courses, Fellowships and Scientific Visits (To be expanded)
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18. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
III. Development and Implementation of the National Education and Training Programme (NETP)
Basic Criteria for recognition from RPC for Training center:
Training program,
Text materials
Human capacity
Facility for lecture and practical
Archive
New regulations that were developed
Medical Physicist, No. 459/1, date
Status Recognition Criteria
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19. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
The document of NP&S addresses:
Actual system of Education and Training in the field of radiation protection
Institutions (actors) involved
Status of safety and radiation protection in education
Regulatory framework regarding to education and training requirements
Re – training
Evaluation and recognition of training
Syllabus of courses
Education and training
Categories of persons which should be trained (4 categories)
Institutions carrying out training
Challenges
Education
Implementation of the policy: responsibilities for the implementation of national policy for E&T.
5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus

20. Overview on the National Policy/Strategy
Results and Achievements
So far, the main benefits from the development of the National Policy and Strategy are:
Provision for building and maintaining the competence of all parties having responsibilities in relation to the safety of facilities and activities
Maintenance of the competence of a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff
Education, training, qualification and competence in protection and safety of all relevant persons
Establishment of sustainable education and training infrastructures to achieve the desired level of competence.
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Conclusions
National Strategy for Education and Training in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety should be considered as an effective mechanism:
- to build sustainable competence in the area in a timely and efficient manner.
- to have a more systematic approach to consider the actual education and training needs (present and future)
- to strengthen and further develop the legal and regulatory framework for education and training in radiation protection and safety.
- It is not a very simple process…
- It requires a long time to be designed, formalized and implemented…
- The proper analysis of needs at national level and optimizing the available resources are important in determining the success and sustainability of national strategies for E&T.
- It is necessary to increase significantly the capacity of all institutions involved in this process, through the creation and improvement of the education system and national courses, suitable for all the people involved in the use and control of ionizing radiation.
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22. Thank you for your attention !!!
Polytechnic University of Tirana