Yemisi Izuora
The Russian nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, has said that applications are now open for scholarships in nuclear for African students to help develop the next generation of African nuclear scientists and engineers. The scholarships covers fully fund tuition fees and partly living expenses.
“The goal of the scholarship is to support interest in nuclear research and capabilities among young African scientists and engineers, and contribute to solving some of the world’s most critical issues in the nearest future, allowing for the continent to be self-sufficient,” says Rosatom Central and Southern Africa’s CEO Dmitry Shornikov.
Scholarships are available for students interested in studying nuclear energy-related fields in Russia and include tuition fees and free preparatory courses of Russian language (depends on university programme). Students have access to subsidised accommodation, library funds and practical experience at Russian nuclear enterprises.
Several study options are available at Russian universities specialising in nuclear engineering such as the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI in Central Russia and Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) in Siberia.
MEPhI is the leading Russian university in the field with more than 75 years’ expertise in nuclear engineering. It is the key partner of Rosatom in the field of educating young high-qualified nuclear specialists and today hosts more than 1,500 foreign students from 57 countries, including over 50 students from Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa.
Bachelor’s Degree involves programmes in Nuclear Power Engineering and Thermal Physics; Nuclear Reactors and Materials; Nuclear Power Plants: Design, Operation and Engineering. Master’s Degree programmes in Nuclear Physics and Engineering; Nuclear Power Engineering and Thermo Physics are also available as well as Postgraduate Degree in Nuclear Power Engineering and Technologies.
TPU offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Nuclear Physics and Technology; a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Power Installations Operation, Nuclear Medicine; and a Postgraduate Degree in Nuclear, Thermal and Renewable Energy and Related Technologies.
Rosatom cooperates with these universities to create opportunities for training Rosatom partner-countries’ academicians.
Shornikov also notes: “This is a great opportunity for scientists and engineers based specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as for the recent matriculants in the region who made progress in mathematics and the sciences and want to apply for nuclear specialities.” The deadline for the first round of applications closes on 15 February 2019.