International nuclear education: Polytechnics at the Obninsk Winter School

The III International Winter School Obninsk Tech Winter School, an educational program of the Obninsk.Tech project, has come to an end in Obninsk. The school was held on the basis of the Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (the flagship university of the Rosatom State Corporation) with the support of Rosatom and brought together 125 students and postgraduates from around the world.

Among the participants are students of the international educational programs of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Institute of Energy.

A key event for many students was a visit to the world’s First nuclear power plant. Among them is the student of IE Anas Abuhajras (Palestine). According to him, even a repeat visit does not reduce emotions: This experience was both exciting and amazing. It is a great honor to visit the place where nuclear energy originated. Even being here for the second time, I experienced the same emotions as the first time. Studying the mechanisms of operation of nuclear facilities and medical centers was incredibly interesting.

According to Anas, the school’s special value lies in the international professional community: Without such initiatives, it would be impossible to bring together students from different countries who speak the same professional language in one place. This is a chance to exchange ideas and solve real engineering cases together at hackathons. It was an incredibly enriching experience.

The international composition of the participants allowed for an open dialogue on the development of the nuclear industry in different countries. Student Sizakele Kumalo (South Africa), who also represents IE, noted the importance of participating in a global project: Becoming a part of this international project was a truly wonderful and amazing event. I was very glad that my institute supports this initiative. The winter School allowed me to better learn and understand various areas of nuclear technology and their applications through lectures, practical exercises, technical tours and, of course, live communication with people from a wide variety of cultures.