Rosatom and IAEA Launch Nuclear Education Outreach Programme

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Rosatom Corporate Academy, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has launched the first international educational program named NEO (Nuclear Education Outreach Programme). The initiative is designed to train specialists responsible for attracting youth to the nuclear sector in countries developing national nuclear programs.

The first cohort of the program includes 13 specialists from eight countries, representing organizations at various stages of nuclear energy development.

The first in-person module took place in Moscow from 22 to 26 June 2026 at the Rosatom Corporate Academy. Participants studied Russian and international experience in capacity building for the nuclear industry, and familiarized themselves with practices for attracting schoolchildren, students, and young professionals, as well as engineering training systems.

Yulia Uzhakina, Director General of the Rosatom Corporate Academy, noted that human capital development is a key factor for the sustainable development of nuclear energy.

"The NEO program is not just training. It is the transfer of live experience that Rosatom has accumulated over the years. We are convinced that it is human potential that determines the future of nuclear energy in any country," Uzhakina said.

The educational program featured IAEA experts alongside representatives from seven Russian nuclear industry organizations, including Rosatom State Corporation, Atomstroyexport, AKKUYU NUCLEAR, Greenatom, Science and Innovations, Rosatom International Network, and the Rosatom Corporate Academy.

Participants were presented with a comprehensive approach to capacity development, including engineering classes, training programs for young specialists in scientific and engineering fields, and experience in implementing international educational projects, such as those within the framework of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant construction in Türkiye.

Elena Zhivitskaya, Scientific Secretary of the NEO program and specialist at the IAEA Nuclear Knowledge Management Section, noted the high interest of newcomer countries in such initiatives.

"The NEO program combines the global expertise of the IAEA and the practical experience of Rosatom, allowing participants to develop their own youth recruitment strategies while considering the specific characteristics of their countries and organizations," Zhivitskaya said.

As part of the cultural and educational program, participants visited the Atom Museum at VDNH and the city of Obninsk, where they attended the IV Obninsk NEW International Youth Nuclear Forum and learned about the history of the world's first nuclear power plant.

The next phase of the program runs from 1 July to 21 August 2026 in an online format on the IAEA educational platform. Under the guidance of international experts, participants are developing national strategies to attract youth to the nuclear sector.

The final module will take place from 24 to 28 August 2026 at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, where participants will present their projects to an expert commission. Following the completion of the training, they will receive joint certificates from the Rosatom Corporate Academy and the IAEA.