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Monash student gets hands-on with nuclear techniques

19 October 2005

Third-year science/engineering student Ms Dilani Kahawala has recently returned from representing Monash at the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering's winter school.

Dr Trevor Hicks (left) and Monash student Ms Dilani Kahawala.

Monash is one of 38 AINSE council members, each of which is able to nominate a senior undergraduate student with an interest in nuclear techniques to attend the winter school.

The school is held each year at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, which houses the country's only nuclear reactor.

Monash's AINSE council member and recently retired School of Physics reader, Dr Trevor Hicks, nominated Ms Kahawala to participate in the winter school, from a field of six applicants.

He said the program was a great way for students to learn about a career in nuclear research.

"The facilities are first rate and can't be found anywhere else in Australia, so it's a real opportunity for students to experience something they wouldn't normally come across," Dr Hicks said.

Ms Kahawala, who is undertaking a major in physics, said the five-day experience had been an eye-opener.  

"We attended a number of lectures, experimental sessions and demonstrations, and we also had the chance to talk with guest speakers and researchers," she said.  

Ms Kahawala said she was fascinated to learn how the instruments worked, particularly from an engineering perspective.

"We were able to participate in a number of hands-on experiments. I learnt a great deal about the applications of neutron scattering, which involves sending neutrons through an object to see its structure.

"I was particularly impressed with the tours of the reactor and the accelerators."  

The dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Rob Norris, will take over as Monash's AINSE council member from next year.