IAEA Launches First Regional Radiation Protection Training Course for Caribbean States

The course is being delivered in a hybrid format. A virtual component took place from 30 March to 29 May 2026, while the in-person phase is being held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 1 June to 25 September 2026.

It combines lectures, practical exercises, laboratory sessions, demonstrations and technical field visits. Participants receive training in a broad range of topics, including radiation protection fundamentals, radiation measurements and quantities, biological effects of ionizing radiation, regulatory frameworks, assessment of external and internal exposures, medical and non-medical applications of radiation, emergency and existing exposure situations, and training methodologies.

"What I appreciate most about the course is its variety," said Raquel Wilson, a Compliance Officer at the Regulated Substances Authority of Saint Lucia. "By covering so many topics, we are developing a deep understanding of the principles, practices and responsibilities that underpin the safe and effective use of radiation in medicine, industry and research," she added.

A key component of the programme is the development of a practical work project. At the end of the course, each participant will present a specific radiation protection challenge in their home country and a plan to address it using the knowledge and skills gained during the course.

"This is actually my favourite part of the course," said course lecturer Colleen Nattie, an Inspector in the Inspection and Enforcement Department of Jamaica's Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority and a participant in a previous edition of the course. "I love hearing how participants plan to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to address real radiation safety challenges in their home countries," she added.