Staff training for Vietnam nuclear industry discussed at Tomsk Polytechnic University
A delegation from the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM) is on a fact-finding visit to Tomsk Polytechnic University. Together with representatives of the Rosatom State Corporation and enterprises (GSPI JSC, SSC RIAR JSC, RTS LLC, Rosatom Technical Academy), the delegation members not only visited the TPU research nuclear reactor and laboratories, but also reviewed the main aspects related to the staff training for the development of projects in the field of nuclear technology in the republic.
Earlier, Rosatom and Vietnam signed an interdepartmental roadmap for the development of nuclear technologies for the period up to 2030. It involves, among other things, participation in the projects on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the country, creation of a Nuclear Science and Technology Center.
According to the head of the delegation from Vietnam, Deputy Director of the Dalat Research Institute, Dr. Nguyen Kien Kyong, about 1,900 people need to be trained for the country's first nuclear power plant, and about 300 people - for the future Nuclear Research and Technology Center.
"Having visited Tomsk Polytechnic University, we are convinced that the university has all the opportunities for personnel training, including the format of short courses and internships. We have also got interested in TPU curricula, research being conducted in your laboratories, for example, on physical protection systems, radiation safety monitoring, and others. During the visit, we are considering many serious issues that will need to be worked out in detail with our partners," he stressed.
The educational and research facilities of Tomsk Polytechnic University were presented to the staff of VINATOM. The projects on silicon doping and nuclear medicine implemented at the most powerful operating TPU reactor were of particular interest.
The delegation members visited the educational and research laboratories for non-destructive analysis of nuclear materials and radioactive substances and systems of physical protection and countering nuclear terrorism, the Research Technological Reference Center for Ionizing Radiation in Radiology, Radiation Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine.
Vera Verkhoturova, Advisor to the TPU Rector for External Relations, presented to the participants of the visit the experience of the Research Center for International Nuclear Education and Career Support for TPU International Students, including that in the field of personnel training for the Nuclear Research and Technology Center in El Alto (Bolivia).
"The colleagues especially noted the uniqueness of TPU comprehensive approach to the systematic training of highly qualified personnel for the nuclear industry, combining both education and science. So, there is an operating research nuclear reactor in the TPU infrastructure, which allows solving several tasks at once – those on training, production and science. Besides, the educational and research laboratories they visited directly meet the challenges currently facing VINATOM, for example, in the field of designing nuclear safety systems. As for education, the Vietnamese side is interested in both traditional master's and postgraduate studies, as well as the approach that we have already successfully implemented in training employees of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN). It involves participation in practical scientific research in the interests of Indonesia under joint academic supervision. In addition, professional retraining programs are of particular interest," she said.
Vera Upirova, Senior Manager of the Project Office for Education Development and International Cooperation at Rosatom State Corporation, also presented a comprehensive approach to personnel training for the state corporation's partner countries.
As a result of the visit, the parties agreed to form a joint working group on personnel training and outline a roadmap. It is planned to conduct an audit of the current state of Vietnam higher education system in the field of nuclear technology and related areas, update the development of interuniversity cooperation between the leading universities of the two countries, and discuss potential joint educational programs. Scholarships for Vietnamese students to study at Russian universities, as well as professional development programs for the current employees of the country's nuclear industry became another issue for further cooperation.