On September 21, 2023, within the framework of the International Youth Nuclear Forum held in Obninsk, Russian Federation Practical Arrangements on cooperation in the field of nuclear education was signed between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Regional Network for Education and Training in the Field of Nuclear Technologies STAR-NET. On behalf of STAR-NET, the document was signed by the president of the network, Rector of NRNU MEPhI Vladimir Shevchenko, on behalf of the IAEA – Deputy Director General of the IAEA, Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy Mikhail Chudakov.

The agreement testifies to the readiness of the IAEA and STAR-NET to cooperate in such areas as the development of guidance documents, coordination of curricula for educational programmes in the field of nuclear science and technology, as well as the promotion of their implementation for the safe and sustainable use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.
STAR-NET universities may contribute to the activities of the IAEA, including the organization of schools, training courses and expert missions.

The IAEA and STAR-NET will also cooperate in the development of innovative educational tools and approaches in nuclear education; one of the points of this cooperation is the introduction and popularization of the IAEA CLP educational platform at STAR-NET member universities.

The parties will also facilitate the organization of internships, scientific visits, specialized training courses and other forms of participation in IAEA projects.

“We welcome and support this method of education and exchange of experience between leading universities and institutes in the field of nuclear education,” said Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA. – I myself often give lectures for STAR-NET universities. We will support the network and are happy to extend this agreement.”
“I would like to express my gratitude to the International Atomic Energy Agency for recognizing the status of our educational network, and the National Research Nuclear University “MEPhI” as the leader of this network and as the IAEA Collaborating Center,” said the Rector of the NRNU MEPhI Vladimir Shevchenko. – It seems to me very important that the educational activities that we conduct and will conduct, including here in Obninsk at the site of ObninskTech, we conduct under the auspices of the IAEA, in close cooperation with the educational structures of this organization, and we will continue to do so, and this, I am sure, will be a pledge the highest quality of what we do, and through this – the qualities of the future leaders of our industry, on whose shoulders its functioning will rest in the next decade.”

The Rector of MEPhI also stressed the importance of the signed agreement for the development of the project of the international Center for Nuclear Education in Obninsk. “The Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy of the NRNU MEPhI has been training personnel for various international projects for many years,” said Vladimir Shevchenko. – Today is a very important day for us, when we are discussing a new stage in the development of our Obninsk site, the project of the International Scientific and Educational Center for Nuclear and Related Technologies. We have signed an agreement with the IAEA, including on our cooperation in the preparation of the work program of this center. It is very important that the level of cooperation with the IAEA that our university has and extends to all its sites, including Obninsk, would work for the development of this project, and those educational programs that will be implemented here would be appropriately recognized by the IAEA.”