Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of MEPhI, Visited the University

10:04, August 19, 2021

Universities will develop cooperation in engineering education and nuclear technology

The day before, Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, visited Ural Federal University. He met with UrFU Rector Victor Koksharov and visited several laboratories at Ural Federal University. 

Vladimir Shevchenko visited the teaching and research laboratories of the Ural Power Engineering Institute of UrFU, which are dedicated to the operation of nuclear reactors. In particular he was shown how specialized simulators for training specialists for NPPs with VVER-type reactors which are most widespread in Russia and a number of foreign countries work, and also a unique power unit with BN-800 reactor. The training of students within the framework of the main educational programs concerning operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants as well as training and professional retraining of nuclear power plant personnel is performed using the stands and simulators. The guests also familiarized themselves with the training complex, where the models, real components of reactor plants of different types, elements of equipment and collapsible mock-up of VVER reactor made on scaled down 1:5 scale were placed. Nikolai Oshkanov, former director of Beloyarsk Nuclear Plant, took part in the meeting.

"The material and technical base of the Department of Nuclear Power Plants and Renewable Energy Sources of UrFU allows us to fully conduct all kinds of educational and research activities aimed at providing modern nuclear power engineering with qualified personnel and advanced technological solutions. Research work with graduate students from countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka is being actively conducted. The geography of interaction is constantly expanding, which speaks to the high demand in the world for our specialists and advanced scientific schools in the field of nuclear power," said Sergey Sarapulov, Director of the Ural Power Engineering Institute.

Moreover, Vladimir Shevchenko visited the Institute of Physics and Technology at Ural Federal University where he was introduced to the resource base of the Department of Rare Metals and Nanomaterials and Innovation and Development Centers. The department has a strong potential to train young personnel, conduct world-class scientific research and develop and implement original chemical technologies in demand, which makes it the undisputed leader among university departments in terms of attracted financing from companies in the real sector of the economy.

Vladimir Shevchenko particularly noted the fact that in spite of summer time, the laboratories shown to him are full of students doing research work within the projects of the department. Vladimir Rychkov, Head of the Department of Rare Metals and Nanomaterials, emphasized that there is nothing surprising here - the educational and scientific process at the university must be organized in such a way as to be attractive to young people.

At the Radiation Sterilization Center and the cyclotron center of nuclear medicine at the Institute of Physics and Technology, another model of building the educational and scientific process on the basis of innovation and innovation centers was demonstrated to the rector of MEPhI.

"Our model is focused on synthesis of three key elements - education, science and real technological process on one territory. Usually universities use the resources of partner companies for students to master industrial technologies. On the example of two centers that implement radiation technologies for civilian purposes, we showed how this component can be implemented within the walls of the university. By the way, it allows us to maintain the performance of complex equipment, providing a modern platform for laboratory and practical classes, as well as scientific research for bachelors, masters and PhD students. Our centers were highly appreciated by the IAEA and Rosatom, which explains our participation in the corporate nuclear education export program," said Vladimir Ivanov, Director of the Institute.

Rector of MEPhI highly appreciated the infrastructure of UrFU and expressed confidence that cooperation between the universities can reach a new level in the future.

"I am grateful to Victor Koksharov for the opportunity to get acquainted with the main university in the Urals. A lot of thoughts arose about what we can do together. Now we need to formalize them, and they will turn into actions that will benefit our universities. First of all, this concerns engineering education, and not limited to Rosatom's sphere of interest. And the second is next-generation nuclear technology. In this promising area, UrFU has teaching aids and master's programs in the languages of the state corporation's partner countries," Shevchenko said.