Twenty-one participants from 13 countries completed a five-day joint training course at the Moscow branch of the Rosatom Technical Academy focused on the development of strategies related to the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management.
The programme covered the full fuel cycle — from uranium ore exploration to final disposal and reprocessing — with special attention to options for spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management within both open and closed fuel cycles.
“Developing a clear, well-conceived strategy established at the early stages of a national nuclear programme is not merely a recommendation but a key factor in its long-term success. This Training Course offers participants the opportunity to study practical tools for working with one of the key aspects of a nuclear programme, particularly for those that are still in the early stages of development,” said Christophe Xerri, lead expert of the Training Course and former Director of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy, in his opening remarks.
“The Rosatom Tech continues to deliver training on advanced nuclear technologies such as the BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor. This innovative reactor — a key element of Russia’s Breakthrough Project — is designed to operate within a closed fuel cycle, enabling closed-loop fuel recycling, significantly reducing radioactive waste and increasing resource efficiency. Together with JSC ‘Proryv’, we have already developed specialised courses to train future professionals. Since 2024, more than 400 specialists have completed our programmes,” noted Viktor Mazepov, Director for International Cooperation at the Rosatom Technical Academy.
Throughout the week, participants worked in groups on course-related projects and presented overviews of the current status of national programmes for spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management. The agenda also included a technical tour to Fuel Fabrication Plant in Elektrostal, which provided a first-hand view of fuel pellet fabrication, fuel rod and fuel assembly production intended for delivery to nuclear power plants.
“This course provides highly important knowledge for the development of our nuclear programme. The opportunity to gain theoretical expertise that reflects the current state of affairs, and to learn about advanced international best practices, enables us to modernize the nuclear safety system in line with international standards and to ensure the effective management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel,” shared her experience Titik Sundari, participant of the Training Course and Safety Manager at the Radioactive Waste Management Installation, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia.
“The visit to the fuel fabrication plant in Elektrostal clearly demonstrated how the theory studied within the course programme is implemented in practice. I had the opportunity to observe the entire technological process — from the production of fuel pellets to the assembly of fuel rods — as well as how waste management and quality control systems are integrated into it,” noted Jenan Akarah, participant of the Training Course and Nuclear Engineer – Radiation and Nuclear Specialist, Jordan Atomic Energy Comission.
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The IAEA actively supports countries considering or expanding nuclear power programs. Leadership at all levels plays a critical role in fostering a strong safety culture and implementing integrated management systems to ensure program success.
The International Cooperation Center of the Rosatom Technical Academy annually conducts training courses in collaboration with the IAEA as part of the Russian Federation’s extrabudgetary contribution to IAEA technical cooperation initiatives focused on nuclear infrastructure development.
Since 2019, the Rosatom Technical Academy has been recognized as an IAEA Collaborating Centre — the first and only one operating in all five key areas: nuclear energy, nuclear security, nuclear sciences and applications, small modular reactors, and medical physics and radiopharmaceuticals.
Since 2019, the Rosatom Technical Academy has conducted over 80 international events and trained more than 2000 specialists from 61 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
MSZ JSC - one of the largest industrial enterprises in Russia and it is part of the management network of TVEL Fuel Company of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. MSZ JSC manufactures nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants (NPPs), research reactors and marine propulsion systems.