Third Russia–IAEA Regional School on Research Reactors Concludes Third session of the Russia–IAEA Regional School Research Reactor Operation and Utilization in the Russian Federation has successfully concluded.
Held from 18 to 29 May, the School brought together young professionals and experts from 12 countries: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia, Kenya, Rwanda, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Nigeria, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. The programme was organized by Rosatom Technical Academy in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and supported by leading Russian research and educational institutions.
Participants followed a comprehensive programme covering research reactor physics, neutron science, radioisotope production, radiopharmaceutical technologies and nuclear infrastructure development. Alongside lectures, the School included technical tours to key Russian research and educational facilities.
Programme activities opened at Moscow branch of Rosatom Technical Academy, where participants attended lectures on research reactor physics and advanced Russian nuclear research projects.
School then continued at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna. Participants explored neutron source physics, research reactor technologies and applications of neutron activation analysis. Technical visits included IBR-2 pulsed research reactor, LINAC-200 linear electron accelerator and NICA facility.
Next stage took place at Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering of NRNU MEPhI. Educational programme covered radioisotope production, radiopharmaceutical development and modern reactor calculation methods. Participants also visited A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre and the world’s first nuclear power plant.
Final stage was hosted by NRNU MEPhI in Moscow. Participants visited IRT MEPhI research reactor and completed practical sessions in Virtual Reality Laboratory using virtual analogues of subcritical assemblies. Lectures focused on the role of the IAEA in nuclear infrastructure development and human resource development for newcomer countries. School concluded with a visit to the ATOM Pavilion at VDNKh.
“Direct access to Russian nuclear facilities and research infrastructure — from IBR-2 reactor in Dubna and Prometheus proton complex in Obninsk to MEPhI research reactor in Moscow — provides practical knowledge and technical expertise that cannot be gained remotely. We continue to see strong interest from countries across Africa, South and South-East Asia, and the Middle East in systematic human resource development. Rosatom and the IAEA are ready to support these efforts,” noted Viktor Mazepov, Director for International Cooperation at Rosatom Tech.
School also served as a platform for professional exchange. Participants discussed operational experience, nuclear safety and non-proliferation issues while establishing professional contacts for future cooperation.
“What makes this School truly unique is the opportunity to connect theory with reality: after lectures we could immediately have practical exercises in the real laboratories or see the experiments with our own eyes with specialists willing to teach and explain. Science brings people together, and experiences like this prove that scientific cooperation is a real unifying force in the world,” said Hilda Mpakani, Ag. Director at NuPEA.