Source: MEPhI
On 28 October, the administrations of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan State Technical University (EKSTU, Ust-Kamenogorsk) held a meeting to discuss new cooperation areas for joint educational programs.
The Rector of the EKSTU Zhassulan Shaimardanov confirmed that both parties consider it necessary to create joint educational programs in the fields of electronics and IT. The Rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI Mikhail Strikhanov noted, “The strong suit of the East Kazakhstan university is its practical orientation and a powerful connection with an employer. This brings us together. With regard to the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, its strong attribute is a good theoretical foundation that gives an opportunity to train students who can adapt to any path. Both universities are working to meet industrial demand and in this sense, we can strengthen each other. In the future, we are planning to diversify educational programs.”
The National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and EKSTU are working together since 2017. This year, the following four programs for joint training of bachelor and master’s students have been launched, in the framework of the additional agreement to the Memorandum of Cooperation, signed on 8 April:
- Innovative Methods for Obtaining Uranium Products (undergraduate);
- Materials for Nuclear Energy. Beryllium / tantalum, niobium (undergraduate);
- Innovative Technologies for Obtaining Uranium Products (graduate);
- Materials for Nuclear Energy. Direction: tantalum, niobium (graduate).
The programs for joint training of bachelor and master’s students are implemented in the framework of the model of inclusive education and include training of Kazakhstani students on undergraduate and graduate levels at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI with simultaneous completion of educational modules (courses) implemented by the EKSTU faculty.
There is a difference in the educational systems of Kazakhstan and Russia in terms of educational credits for various course subjects. Optimization and development of a unified approach corresponding to the laws of both countries requires additional efforts. Nonetheless, the “Physics and Chemistry of Materials and Processes” undergraduate dual diploma program for training of personnel for the nuclear industry has been launched in the current year, despite the difficulties. The program currently trains forty nine students. Graduates of the program will receive diplomas of the EKSTU and National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
“On one hand, the dual diploma program gives students the opportunity to stay close to their future place of employment because they remain students of Kazakhstan and can intern at enterprises of Kazatomprom. On the other hand, they can study at MEPhI and obtain truly very high knowledge,” stressed the Vice-Rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI Tatyana Leonova.
A working group of the EKSTU and National Research Nuclear University MEPhI is discussing possibilities for developing new undergraduate and graduate joint educational programs in the fields of information technology, instrument engineering and material science.
«We are determined to continue our development. We think about new areas for cooperation, which will include not only material science but also IT and electronics. Besides, we have plans for preparing joint teams for the WorldSkills competitions,” added Tatyana Leonova.