Ontario Tech Dean: More Nuclear Engineers Needed as Nuclear Power Expands in Ontario
Dr. Hossam Kishawy, Dean of Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, says Canada needs to train more nuclear engineers to meet the country’s increasing reliance on nuclear power for electricity and clean-energy targets.
Dr. Kishawy stated that nuclear energy supplies 52 percent of Ontario’s electricity and argued that continued use could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million tonnes annually by 2030, which represents 3.8 percent of Ontario’s projected emissions for that year when compared to natural gas.
He explained that nuclear energy provides a consistent electricity supply without depending on weather or seasonal changes, unlike renewable sources such as wind and solar, which he said currently make up a small portion of Canada’s electricity. Hydroelectricity remains the largest renewable source but does not meet all energy needs, according to Dr. Kishawy.
Dr. Kishawy described engineers as the “backbone” of Canada’s nuclear sector, responsible for designing, operating, and maintaining reactors including the CANDU technology. He said engineers also develop systems for managing radioactive waste, improving reactor efficiency, and ensuring public and environmental safety through risk assessments and safety protocols.
He cited an Ontario government investment of $25 billion to refurbish ten nuclear reactors between 2016 and 2031. Dr. Kishawy also pointed to government plans for small modular reactors (SMRs), describing them as requiring less physical space than traditional reactors. According to Dr. Kishawy, Ontario has committed to bringing four grid-scale SMRs online between 2029 and 2035.
Dr. Kishawy said Ontario Tech University is home to Canada’s only undergraduate Nuclear Engineering degree program. He said the university offers a range of graduate degrees and research opportunities, and that it collaborates with Ontario Power Generation and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. He added that the school has a Nuclear Career Accelerator program for mid-career engineers and technical professionals seeking to work in nuclear roles.
Dr. Kishawy noted that nuclear engineering faces a skilled labour shortage in Canada, similar to other technical sectors. He said that expanding nuclear capacity will depend on training new engineers. He also stated that engineers are responsible for decommissioning old facilities, designing long-term waste storage like deep geological repositories, and developing methods for reprocessing spent fuel and reducing nuclear waste.