Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Ten Indian students participated in a global nuclear technology programme that brought together 120 students from 47 countries. The Obninsk Tech Winter School 2026 programme received more than 350 applications from around the world, from which 120 participants were selected, including 10 from India.Organised from Feb 1 to 7 with the support of Russian atomic energy state corporation Rosatom at National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the programme provided participants with hands-on exposure to advanced nuclear science, engineering workshops and technical training alongside peers from around the world.Over the course of seven days, participants were offered workshops, master classes from MEPhI representatives, and lectures on new Rosatom businesses as part of the AtomPRO educational project. The main areas of practical work were dosimetry, electronics and automation for nuclear power plants, radiation control, 3D modelling, electrical engineering for nuclear power plants, non-destructive testing and materials science.Participants were also given technical tours of flagship sites in Kaluga region, including Rosatom Technical Academy, State Research Center of the Russian Federation — IPPE, and A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, Prolog Ltd, ‘DNA-Technology’ and Luch NPO Research Institute.At the end of the Obninsk Tech winter school, a HackAtom international student championship was organised, during which student teams developed and presented projects dedicated to the future of nuclear education in 24 hours: developing a master’s program in nuclear waste management, creating an advanced nuclear education campus, and creating a career a portal with employment opportunities for engineering graduates, and others. The international student team ‘Prometheus’ (NRU MPEI, IATE NRNU MEPhI, Belgard University, Tsinghua University, and R.E. Alekseev Novosibirsk State Technical University) won.
