On March 25, 2024, an important event of the educational track at the International Forum ATOMEXPO-2024 was the round table “International industrial and educational projects: from theory to practice.”
It brought together representatives of the nuclear industry, as well as universities, relevant ministries and authorities of the partner countries.
During the event, speakers were the Dean of the School of Mining and Geosciences of the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) Dr. Mshiu Elisante Elisimon, Director of educational projects of Rosatom Dr. Valery Karezin, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dr. Stepan Kalmykov, Rector of the University of Debrecen (Hungary) Dr. Zoltan Silvassi, specialist, BAES (Iran) Dr. Ghodsi Mojtaba, director of JET Lab LLC Sergey Bukreev, as well as representative of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board Alexis Ruhinda. The moderator was Dr. Niklaus Vetter, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute IPEN (Brazil).
The participants discussed formats for inter-university cooperation and interaction with business partners, which allow not only the development of the national educational infrastructure, but also contribute to the promotion of technologies to new markets. During the discussion, special attention was paid to the issues of practical training of students through the interaction of universities and industrial partners.
Director of the Project Office for Education and Development of International Cooperation of Rosatom Valery Karezin spoke about the experience and competencies of Rosatom in terms of interaction with Rosatom partner universities in the field of personnel training and building business – university interaction. In particular, he noted: “Currently, more than 2,000 international students from 65 countries are studying in Russia in nuclear and related specialties, and annually more than 500 international students do their practical internships at Rosatom enterprises and training centers. The practical skills that the students gain during their studies in Russia allow them to successfully implement high-tech projects in their country, successfully developing national nuclear programs.”
Dean of the School of Mining and Geosciences at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Mshiu Elisante Elisimon, said: “Geology and mining training in Tanzania is under a major transformation. The transformation aims at bringing the industry at the round table and asking them to join with the academia in training. We are making the process formal by developing guidelines that will be followed during implementations. Along with this, we are joining hands with the industry to establish geology and mining projects together for the purpose of creating more placements for our students to get skills as practical training students or interns before employment. Guidelines such as the establishment of Industry Advisory Committees will assist in bridging the gap between the industry and academia, and we have started to see it working.”
Summing up, Dr. Niklaus Wetter said: “The insights, ideas, and solutions that have emerged during this event, dedicated to closing the educational gap between universities and industries, are a testament to our shared commitment to advancing education in nuclear and related fields. The challenges are substantial, but as a global community, it was demonstrated that we are well-equipped to address them and several excellent and commendable examples emerged from this meeting.”
At the end of the round table, participants noted the particular importance of the cooperation between universities and industry representatives in a wide range of specialties. The network format of interaction between the Russian universities and the universities in Rosatom partner countries, as well as businesses of the two countries, including relevant ministries and authorities – is the most promising format of interaction, allowing to train specialists with the necessary competencies demanded by the labor market.
State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is a diversified holding company that combines assets in the energy, mechanical engineering, and construction sectors. Its strategy is to develop low-carbon generation, including wind power. Rosatom is a national leader in electricity production (about 20% of total output) and ranks first in the world in terms of the largest portfolio of orders for the construction of nuclear power plants (33 power units in 10 countries).
Rosatom offers foreign customers a comprehensive solution that provides access to the entire line of products and services throughout the entire life of the nuclear power plant. It includes not only the construction of nuclear power plants using Russian technologies, but also the creation and development of nuclear infrastructure in the country; assistance in forming compliance.
The ATOMEXPO International Forum is one of the main events of the global nuclear industry, the largest exhibition and business platform where the current state of the nuclear industry is discussed and trends in its further development are formed. It has been held since 2009. At the exhibition, leading companies of the global nuclear industry and related sectors present their technologies and skills.
As part of the demonstration of Rosatom’s commitment to the climate agenda, carbon footprint compensation will be provided at the XIII ATOMEXPO-2024 International Forum with the use of special certificates.
Russia is consistently developing international trade and economic relations, focusing on cooperation with friendly countries. The domestic economy is increasing its export potential, supplying goods, services and raw materials around the world. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.