A delegation from Rosatom Technical Academy, headed by Rector Yuri Seleznev, visited the Far Eastern Maritime Training Centre of the Admiral Nevelskoi Maritime State University. The centre is one of the best equipped in the world. It houses a simulator that has been used since 2023 to train naval engineers (naval mechanics and electromechanics) in the operation of naval nuclear reactors.
Special attention was paid to getting acquainted with the Nuclear Training Centre and discussing areas of cooperation between the two educational organisations.
During the visit, Yuri Seleznev emphasised that the Far East region is promising for the deployment of small nuclear power plants, and it is now necessary to develop bilateral cooperation with training centres in the Far East in order to lay a solid foundation for training personnel for new nuclear power plants in the future.
“The development of the Northern Sea Route and the published development plans for the Far Eastern regions determine the prospects for small-scale nuclear power industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Small nuclear power plants are one of ROSATOM’s export products. One of the most important tasks for the start-up of any nuclear facility is the proactive training of personnel. Training should begin several years before the planned commissioning of the facility. Qualified personnel is the key to the successful operation of nuclear facilities, enabling them to achieve maximum economic efficiency and a high level of safety. The development of cooperation with training centres in the Far East, including the Admiral Nevelskoi Maritime State University, will make it possible to integrate the accumulated experience in the training of NPP operating personnel and ship crews, and establish a solid platform for the training of personnel for new nuclear facilities in the Asia-Pacific region, floating NPPs and ships with nuclear reactors,” the Rector said.
Polina Kovaleva, Director for Advanced Nuclear Technologies at Rosatom Technical Academy, noted that Russia today retains its status as a leader in the use of small modular reactors, both land-based and floating. This status is also true for training activities – the personnel for the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov, was trained at Rosatom Technical Academy.
“The Academy is currently developing a basic course on SNPPs with RITM-200 reactors. The commissioning of the first land-based SNPP with this reactor is planned in Yakutia. The basic course provides an opportunity to learn both the technological basis of RITM-200 and the specifics of safety systems and applications of small power plants. Due to its modular approach, the course can be adapted to train not only future plant personnel, but also nuclear infrastructure personnel in countries planning to develop small-scale nuclear power industry. Such a course can become an important element of the educational infrastructure and part of joint programmes and schools, including international ones, in the Far East,” said Polina Kovaleva.
For reference:
Rosatom Technical Academy is a modern diversified training centre for Russian and foreign nuclear industry personnel, built on the traditions of the Central Institute for Continuing Education and Training for Management and Specialists. The Academy provides professional retraining of managers and specialists of nuclear power engineering and nuclear industry, certification of personnel, as well as scientific and methodological support to ROSATOM organisations in the field of ensuring safe use of atomic energy, supervision, state security, operational and support processes. The Academy has the status of the IAEA Collaborating Centre in the field of nuclear technologies, non-power applications, global nuclear safety and security, Practical Arrangements in the field of Safeguards.
G.I. Nevelskoy Maritime State University is the largest maritime educational institution in the Russian Federation, which trains specialists of all professions required for the sea transportation system in natural sciences, humanities, engineering and marine areas under the Convention. The University is not only the first Russian maritime state university and one of the leading universities in the Asia-Pacific region, but also an authoritative research and methodological centre of maritime education.
In 2022, a cooperation agreement was signed between Rosatom Technical Academy and the Maritime University on the training of personnel for nuclear propulsion ships, as well as on the development of the consortium “Far Eastern Centre for Marine Nuclear Competence”, established on the basis of the University under the “Priority 2030. Far East” programme.
15 teachers of the University received specialised continuing training at the St. Petersburg Branch of the Academy under programmes of naval power engineering at marine and coastal infrastructure facilities.