Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering – One of the Most Interesting and Promising Projects of Global Impact
A lot of visiting professors, who share their knowledge and experience with the students, are involved in the International Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering, which is now held in the Polytechnic University. Every lecture of the course is meant to show innovative trends in power engineering, interest the participants, and speculate on development of important projects. International atmosphere in the classroom is clear evidence that a real scientist is a citizen of the world.
One of the best examples of following the academic process internationalization traditions is the work of Prof. Radek Skoda, Czech Technical University (Czech, Prague). He specializes in Nuclear Reactor Physics and Nuclear Power Plants Economics, cooperates with many universities in the world and keeps a close watch on his Russian colleagues’ work.
- What is the specific feature of the Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering, in your opinion?
- First of all, I would like to point out the international focus of this project, a chance for the students to visit the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant and apply the obtained knowledge in practice, communicate with professors from leading universities and specialists in energy industry. The Winter School is oriented on students from different countries who wish to work and do research in Nuclear Engineering. In one classroom there are students from Russia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, South Korea and other countries. This is evidence of the fact that these countries are interested in having highly-qualified specialists, who will contribute to development of the industry and emergence of new projects.
I think that the Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering is one of the most well-thought and promising projects of universal importance and a lot of global tasks are solved in it.
- Which factor became crucial for you to decide to take part in the Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering?
- Good weather in St. Petersburg (laughing). But frosts wouldn’t have been able to stop me. We, scientists, are not afraid of bad weather! The most important thing is a favorable climate in the classroom and a positive approach of the students. Czech Technical University is a partner of the Polytechnic University and I have already given lectures in Nuclear Power Engineering in English in your institution. The international composition of the participants makes it even more interesting!
- Would you say a couple of words about your lecture, please?
- There are problems in the world, which are equally important for everyone, for example, nuclear safety. Cooperation of scientists and specialists in this industry ensures comprehensive consideration of these issues. Only altogether we will be able to obtain the best results and Power Engineering in universities will be able to reach a new level. I’m sure that my lecture dedicated to Nuclear Power Engineering Economics became an interesting discovery for all the participants. They learnt about the European competition between thermal and nuclear power plants and were able to understand when nuclear power plants are most beneficial economically. We know that today any scientific discovery must be oriented on practical results. This is something that I teach my students about and I am always glad to share my knowledge and experience.
- Tell us, please, what is today’s international educational system in nuclear power engineering like? What unites Russian and European education in this field?
- The international educational system in the field of nuclear power engineering is consolidation of the best practices, main state requests in this area, experience and achievements of the leading scientists. We always respond to the major needs of the time. I can confidently say that education in Nuclear Power Engineering is a top priority trend in the national policy of many countries.
The educational system of the socialist period included a traditional five year training course. Both the Soviet and Czech specialists were following the same direction ad generally accepted standards. I myself was a university student at that time and I would like to point out the high quality level of education in Nuclear Power Engineering.
Today we have to comply with the major concepts and regulations of the Bologna Process. There are Bachelors and Masters in Nuclear Power Engineering. For the Czech Republic as a member of the European Union it is especially relevant. I am glad that the students are interested in learning more and are not ready to rest.
In my opinion, the similarities between European and Russian systems of education in the field of Nuclear Power Engineering include pursuit for creating strong partner relationships, participation in international symposiums and conferences, academic mobility programs and regular experience sharing. I am convinced that partnership trust and openness of professional relationships guarantee unconditional success.
- What can you say about demand for specialists in the field of nuclear power engineering in the international labor market?
- Planned development of the energy sector implies a continuous search for highly-skilled and experienced specialists. One of the best employers in Russia and in the world is the state corporation “ROSATOM”. Power engineers who graduate from Czech Technical University work at the nuclear power plants of the Czech Republic, where the best competitive conditions are created for them and various options of further training are offered. Today’s generation is very loyal to the profession of engineer and is interested in science. It says about revival of previous educational traditions and conscious attitude of young people towards future development of their countries.
- What is our view of the future power engineering?
- I’m used to looking 5-10 years ahead. It allows making more correct and realistic projections. We will keep on discussing issues related to nuclear safety, nuclear fuel and development of the energy sector. Of course, a lot of things will change in the field of specialist training: connections with the manufacturing industry are going to consolidate and joint projects at the government level are going to be carried out. I’m sure a lot of new books will appear which will describe important practical experience and fundamental theoretical knowledge in this field. The most important thing is our followers – students of the leading universities. I think, very soon the students of the Winter School in Nuclear Power Engineering are going to be our colleagues. I thank everyone who took part in setting up this important and interesting project. I wish you every success in the professional activities and bright victories in your life journey!
International Relations Office