Earlier this year, WINS Academy scholarship recipient and Alumni Mafihla Maleka published his dissertation entitled “An exploration of radioactive sources security awareness: a case study of five healthcare facilities in Gauteng, South Africa.” Mr Maleka attributes much of the approach to framing questions in his Master’s dissertation to his experience in gaining knowledge through WINS. He first earned a WINS Academy scholarship in 2015 and has gone onto complete all WINS Academy modules.
Currently working on registering for his PhD in 2024, Mr Maleka was the first WINS Academy Ambassador for South Africa. We recently sat down with Mr Maleka to understand in-depth how his experiences with WINS shaped his academic work, what advice he would give to those thinking of enrolling in a WINS Academy course and his prospects going forward.
Which module(s) did you study at the WINS Academy?
I have gone through and completed all of the WINS Academy modules, and I found each one of them informative and important. However, for the sake of my dissertation, I needed to focus more on the WINS Academy Radioactive Source Security Management module, which I completed in October 2016 immediately after the module was first introduced, which made me the first to complete it, within a month of its publication.
What inspired you to apply for the WINS Academy in the first place?
The WINS scholarship was presented to me after I attended the IAEA International Training Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. During the course, a WINS representative made a presentation about WINS and the Academy, which is where I registered my interest. My information was gathered, and I was subsequently offered the scholarship.
How did the knowledge you gained at the WINS Academy help you to write your dissertation?
When I enroled with the WINS Academy’s Radioactive Source Security Management module, I instantly devised a plan for the coursework that would count towards my postgraduate degree, and the content of the module made this possible for me. The Radioactive Sources Security module mostly helped me in designing and asking relevant questions for my study. Secondly, it provided me with important background to radioactive sources such as their history, different stakeholder responsibilities, the essential elements of security, the radioactive sources security programme, among others. Armed with this valuable information, I could not help but pursue my academic studies on radioactive sources security.
The WINS Best Practice Guides, particularly the ones on Radioactive Source Security, provided yet another source of knowledge on the many forms that radioactive sources may take and how they may be used or misused. Above all, the WINS Knowledge Centre provides access to a wide range of information, which has increased my awareness, not just on radioactive sources but also nuclear security in general.
How will your dissertation contribute to radioactive source security awareness?
This dissertation serves as a springboard for those who are charged with the responsibility to safeguard radioactive sources, particularly outside the nuclear industry, e.g., healthcare facilities such as hospitals and institutions of higher learning where radioactive sources are used for research purposes. The literature review section contains comprehensive information related to radioactive sources, this information can be used to learn more about radioactive sources, their lifecycle, regulations, the responsibilities of the owner of a source and a number of selected case studies where radioactive sources went out of control and the consequences thereof.
Last but not least, the dissertation’s recommendation section suggests the establishment of the radioactive sources security programme and potential topics to focus on, providing facility owners with a guideline on how to put measures in place to secure radioactive sources at their exposure. The latter is a guide to my PhD.
What advice do you have for current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling?
Through the WINS Academy, I learned that certification is strong evidence that proves one’s competence. Radioactive sources are dangerous if not handled properly, as a result, if one is certified, there is some form of assurance to the facility, the regulatory authority and the public that the sources are in good hands. Enrolling in any of the WINS Academy courses is the best potential investment that nuclear professionals can make for themselves.
The WINS modules are so informative that they are a reference in my current employment outside the nuclear industry. For instance, I use the WINS Nuclear Security Governance module as a guide in mapping out strategic issues in my current position, and the WINS Nuclear Security Programme Management module in issues of leadership related to my current employment. I use the WINS Incident Management module as a guide to handle and write processes during events or incidents, and the Cybersecurity module to understand cyber threats that could have an adverse impact on physical security. Furthermore, the Communicating with Civil Society module best represents security matters to those who are not necessarily security practitioners.
Enrolling in any of the WINS Academy courses is the best potential investment that nuclear professionals can make for themselves.
What are your prospects in relation to nuclear and radioactive sources security?
First, I am well on my way to pursue my PhD in radioactive sources security in 2024. Secondly, I already have article drafts in radioactive sources security, meaning that I plan to have several publications on nuclear and radioactive sources security in the near future, starting from 2024, latest. I also intend to find my footing back into the nuclear industry, in order to be directly involved in matters pertaining to the industry, be it in South Africa or elsewhere in the world.
