On December 17 Rosatom Technical Academy, Rosatom Emergency Response Centre and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University signed Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Building in the field of emergency preparedness and response (EPR). The framework for cooperation includes development and implementation of a unified IAEA Master’s Degree Programme on EPR. Pilot run of the Programme is scheduled for 2021-2022.
The number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decade. Global trend to attract more women to study STEM and to pursue a career in the nuclear industry is now gaining ground. Many studies have shown that the involvement of women in all spheres of society has a positive effect ensuring increased productivity and economic growth. Moreover, gender equality is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. When setting up the IAEA Master’s Degree Programme on EPR, Rosatom Tech follows the global trend to increase the number of women in nuclear field.
IAEA Director General Mr Rafael Mariano GROSSI launched the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) in March 2020 to provide scholarships to female students towards their Master’s degrees in nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security or non‑proliferation. Over 550 applications from more than 90 countries were received, however only 100 female students were selected and awarded with the first Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowships. Ms Anna STEPANOVA, a Bachelor’s degree graduate of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), became one of the grant winners.
“I have always wanted to become a student of an international educational programme. I even thought about continuing my studies abroad. The opening of a new international Master’s programme on EPR within the framework of the Higher School of SPbPU and receiving fellowship make it possible to get education, that I could only dream of, here – in Russian university. Now I’m facing a whole new level of challenges. I express my gratitude to everyone who helped me to achieve this! ” – shared Ms Anna STEPANOVA.
The IAEA MSCFP is open to students from IAEA Member States who are accepted by or enrolled in an accredited university in Master’s programme and also have high average academic credentials. The competition among the nominees was very high, however, Anna managed to fulfill all the requirements and become one of the winners.
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship covers up to two years of tuition and living expenses. Fellows will also have an opportunity to be involved to the internship programme at the IAEA.