Rosatom Technical Academy has received 20 students from Africa, winners of the video contest Atoms empowering Africa organised by Rosatom. The group included students from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt and Sudan.
For the competition, students had to shoot and produce a short video on The Benefits of Nuclear Energy in Africa discussing the potential of nuclear energy on the continent. The participants shared their work on social networks, following certain technical recommendations, and submitted applications using the official form. The prize was a fully paid trip to Russia to inspect some of the domestic nuclear facilities.
“This part of the contest is always the most exciting. Seeing excitement and surprise in the eyes of these young people when they explore the heart of atomic technology in Russia is incredible,” said Ryan Collier, CEO of the Rosatom Regional Office for Central and South Africa. “It is not only about the technical knowledge that they receive, but also about the cultural exchange and inspiration that they draw from the experience of another part of the world. We believe that this experience will kindle a passion for science and technology for life.”
He added: “Looking forward to the next year’s contest, we anticipate even more innovative and creative applications. We hope to further expand the scope of the competition, attracting more young minds throughout the African continent and contributing to a better understanding of the key role that nuclear energy can play in sustainable development.”
Students were introduced to the educational areas of the academy and were shown technical training tools for training personnel in the nuclear industry. The guys visited the visual prototyping complex for 3D demonstration of NPP buildings, “operated” a nuclear power plant on an analytical multifunctional simulator, and examined the model of a hypothetical nuclear facility and special laboratories.
“We visited the Rosatom Technical Academy and visited the first nuclear power plant (NPP) in Russia in Obninsk. It was a real privilege of — to witness behind-the-scenes work and see how much effort has been put into ensuring the operational safety and security of the » nuclear power plant”, said Moon Ogine from Nigeria.
“This trip has become for me an experience that has changed my life. A visit to the origin of the nuclear industry in Obninsk and monitoring the actual use of atomic technologies expanded my knowledge and spurred my aspirations to contribute to the energy future of Africa,” said Yasmin Ehab from Egypt.
Cultural immersion continued with visits to iconic attractions in Moscow, such as Red Square and the Kremlin, which became the background for understanding the cultural heritage of Russia, and also allowed a deeper understanding of the country’s policies and history.
Since its inception in 2015, Atoms Empowering Africa has become a driving force in enabling young people to immerse themselves in nuclear power. By encouraging African youth to explore and represent the benefits of atomic energy, the competition not only arouses curiosity for science, but also paves the way for a sustainable energy future for Africa.
