In the framework of the 64th Annual Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference on September 24, the IAEA signed an amendment of Collaborating Centre Agreement with Rosatom Technical Academy expanding the area of collaboration to Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development for Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Sciences and Applications and Nuclear Security.
In 2019, during the 63rd Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, Rosatom Technical Academy was designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre in two areas: Knowledge Management and Human Resource Development for Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Security, signing Agreement with the Department of Nuclear Energy and the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. With the expansion of the area of collaboration to Nuclear Sciences and Applications Rosatom Technical Academy becomes the first Collaborating Centre, that spans activities across three IAEA departments among 46 active Collaborating Centres around the world.
At the signing ceremony, the IAEA was represented by Ms Najat Mokhtar, Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Mr Mikhail Chudakov, Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, Mr Juan Carlos Lentijo, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. The Rosatom Technical Academy was represented by its rector Mr Yuri Seleznev and leads of the Russian utility Rosenergoatom JSC – Mr Nikita Konstantinov, Deputy Director General – Business Development Director, and Mr Dmiry Gasten, HR and Social Policy Director
Nowadays the Russian Federation holds a leading position in the area of human resource development for nuclear infrastructure in newcomer countries under auspices of the IAEA. Rosatom Technical Academy started cooperation with the Agency yet in 2011 with the signing of Trilateral Practical Arrangements between the IAEA, the Central Institute for Continuing Education and Training (now the Rosatom Technical Academy) and Rosenergoatom JSC at the 55th Session of the IAEA General Conference. Following the established path of partnership, the Rosatom Technical Academy conducts various international and regional training events such as schools, training courses and scientific visits.
In 2019 the major training event – World Nuclear University School on Radiation Technologies was held in Obninsk by Rosatom Tech together with IAEA. The IAEA Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Ms Najat Mokhtar mentioned that she opened the School and was impressed by the excellence of work delivered by Rosatom Tech’s team: “We are looking forward to continuing our joint work with Rosatom Tech. We are planning to organize the joint ROSATOM-IAEA School on Non-Power Nuclear Applications, as well as to develop learning materials, including a book, a brochure and an e-learning course on non-power nuclear technologies applications”.
The IAEA Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy Mr Mikhail Chudakov expressed his opinion that the new area of cooperation and activities related to the Amendment of the Agreement will enhance scientific and technical capabilities in the IAEA Member States: “Within that framework, Rosatom Tech organized the first in Russia IAEA Nuclear Knowledge Management School in St. Petersburg. And we are working together on the preparation of the International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resource Development”.
“I visited Rosatom Tech one year ago and I was impressed by the quality of professionals that I saw there, the quality of the equipment, and the facilities Rosatom Tech has. I am very proud that we have this Collaborating Centre for Human Resource Development in the field of Nuclear Security. This Agreement is fully aimed to implement practical projects to benefit nuclear security” – emphasized in his speech, Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security Mr Juan Carlos Lentijo.
Rosatom Tech’s headquarter – Obninsk is not only the city where the first in the world commercial nuclear power plant started operation but also an internationally recognized centre for nuclear capacity building. This city accumulates scientific and technical competence and facilities for peaceful application of nuclear technologies. State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom” will have allocated 18 billion rubles by 2026 for the establishment and development of an innovative research and technology centre “Park of nuclear and medical technologies” in Obninsk. The main activities of the innovative scientific and technological centre created in Obninsk will be nuclear research and development, nuclear medicine and pharmaceuticals and other non-power applications.
“Both sides (IAEA and Rosatom Tech editor’s note) are living and working in the paradigm of the indispensable role that nuclear technologies play in achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations in 2015. I think that the Joint School on Radiation Technologies that was conducted by the IAEA, World Nuclear University and Rosatom Technical Academy last year made an effect why Obninsk was selected for that role” – pointed out Dr Vladimir Artisyuk, Councilor, Adviser to Director General of ROSATOM.
“The IAEA Collaborating Centres Scheme is an effective tool for expanding the practical application of nuclear techniques around the world. Collaborating centres help countries achieve the sustainable development goals. Rosatom Tech is ready to make its contribution and enhance the IAEA support for the Member-States, especially to those that are considering the establishment of national Centres of Nuclear Science and Technology as well as enhancement of their capacity in the field of nuclear science and radiation technologies application as the tools for their sustainable technological and economic development” – concluded the signing ceremony Dr Yuri Seleznev, rector of Rosatom Tech.
The updated Collaborating Centre plaque
Related resources
Rosatom Technical Academy Becomes First IAEA Collaborating Centre in Three Programmatic Areas (Official webpage IAEA)