Professor Oleg Tashlykov from the Department of Nuclear Energy of the Ural Federal University, Russia, was in Chennai recently to deliver a lecture at Anna University. He spoke to Education Plus about the prospects for an education in the nuclear sciences in Russia, the need for highly trained professionals in the industry and the possibilities of mergers with India in the area of nuclear energy education. Excerpts…
What is the demand for trained professionals in the nuclear energy sector?
There is a real need today for highly qualified professionals to ensure safety and efficiency in the working of nuclear power plants. The average demand for specialists in a single plant runs up to almost a thousand. This demand is currently not being met with an adequate supply.
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The demands are fuelled by several factors. First, the universities that can provide high technical education are very few. Second, students who have just graduated cannot immediately take charge. They have to undergo several internships before they can actually begin work at the sites. This takes around two to three years and is important from the point of view of safety.
Could a perceived lack of safety on the job be the reason why students are apprehensive about entering this field?
That could be a possible reason. But we should remember the fact that safety cannot be ensured without having specialists. It is like a chain and lack of safety can be attributed to the lack of specialists.
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What are the advantages of the Russian education system and what are the prospects in nuclear energy education that students can look forward to?
Russia has great experience in preparing students for a competent career in the nuclear industry. Students get an opportunity to train under conditions which are nearly the same as the actual conditions in nuclear power plants. For example, our university has a very well-developed training system with machines and equipments that are same as those at actual sites. Very few universities can provide such specialised ground for study.
A complete education in nuclear energy entails five years of study which is equivalent to three years of bachelor’s programme and two years of master’s. Five years of study qualifies them as masters of the subject. The last six months of the period of study are dedicated to practical work at nuclear power plants which takes them very close to the real process.
There are opportunities for both basic and master’s education for international students. Students in India, for example, can gain a basic technical degree in their own country and then apply for a two-years master’s degree in Russia. Students also have the option to choose the number of years they want to study. Students can choose to study for four years instead of five but the career opportunities would be fewer for them as compared to those who study for five years.
What are some of the job profiles in this area?
The functioning of nuclear power plants is taken care of by a huge division of specialists which includes operators of turbines and reactors, specialists who are involved in preparatory works, repairing of equipments, general functioning of the plants, measurements, technical researchers and electricians.
However, the ones who are held in the highest esteem are the operators of reactors and turbines. They are also the highest paid as their job demands the highest level of technical specialisation. Research, development, management and communication specialists are also in demand, although they only form the fringe of the entire workforce.
Students can also consider teaching. Not only in Russia, they can come back and transfer the knowledge and skills they acquire to other parts of the world.
What are the eligibility criteria to acquire an education in nuclear energy in Russia?
The technical background depends on which area one would like to specialise in. But it is also important for international students to know Russian. It is not necessary that students need to have a prior knowledge of the language. We offer opportunities for students to learn Russian here even as they are pursuing their studies.
Language could be seen as a barrier here. How can that be tackled?
We do have English speaking faculty at the universities and English versions of documents. But knowing Russian would ensure a much broader experience. Nuclear energy is a very old industry in Russia, and we are the pioneers of many of the technologies. Some Russian abbreviations and terminologies have been inserted into international parlance. Knowing Russian is useful for a career in countries with which Russia has entered into joint ventures in building nuclear power plants.
What are the opportunities of mergers with India in nuclear energy education?
The opportunities are vast. There is no need to wait for agreements to be signed between the two governments. There are student exchange systems already in place. We have students from India coming to Russia and vice-versa. But most Indian students in Russia study medical sciences. The demand for nuclear energy education is yet to catch up with that level. Russia is ready to contribute, and, hopefully, there would be a better developed student exchange programme in this area in the future with more series of lectures arranged.
All Russian universities are interested in attracting international students in order to attain high positions in international rankings. Currently, Vietnamese students have the option to avail ‘budget education’ or free education. Indian students can also look at free education schemes in Russia.