SSTC NRS Completes First Stage of Educational Project with Lviv Polytechnic
The State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS) has successfully completed the first stage of a pilot project aimed at improving professional education in the field of nuclear energy. The project is being implemented at the National University “Lviv Polytechnic” with the support of Argonne National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of State.
As part of the first stage, SSTC NRS experts conducted a comprehensive review of six existing bachelor’s and master’s-level courses. The analysis demonstrated that Lviv Polytechnic possesses a strong academic foundation in classical nuclear engineering, reactor physics, and the fundamental disciplines of nuclear power engineering. The current curricula provide students with solid theoretical knowledge that can serve as a reliable basis for further modernization of the educational process and integration of advanced nuclear technologies.
At the same time, several courses require updating and enhancement in order to better reflect current trends in nuclear energy development and shift the educational focus from outdated technologies toward modern solutions. Detailed recommendations for the technical modernization of these courses were therefore prepared. Particular attention was devoted to integrating topics aligned with global trends in the nuclear industry. Specifically, the recommendations include significantly expanding the study of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, modern passive safety systems, and severe accident management approaches incorporating post-Fukushima safety measures. In addition, the project proposes introducing practical training based on advanced specialized software and artificial intelligence tools.
SSTC NRS is implementing this initiative with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Representatives of the Ministry participate in working meetings and provide comprehensive assistance throughout all stages of the project.
An important outcome of the first stage was the development of a detailed syllabus and curriculum framework for a new academic course. These syllabi, designed in close cooperation with Lviv Polytechnic faculty members, serve as practical “roadmaps” for both lecturers and students. Furthermore, to strengthen the university’s methodological and informational resources, SSTC NRS donated a number of its scientific monographs and educational manuals to the Department of Heat Power Engineering and Thermal & Nuclear Power Plants. These publications focus on nuclear power plant safety, decommissioning, and spent fuel management, and may be used by both instructors and students.
A practical highlight of the stage was the joint participation in the “Scientific Festivities” career guidance event, where students and prospective applicants had the opportunity to explore SSTC NRS mobile radiological laboratory RanidSONNI and modern dosimetry equipment.
“Nuclear energy and nuclear technologies are constantly evolving, while approaches to safety assurance are undergoing significant transformation. That is why updating educational programs is essential for preparing specialists who will be ready to work with modern technologies and quickly integrate into the professional environment of the nuclear industry,” said Dmytro Gumeniuk, Project Manager and Head of SSTC NRS Safety Analysis Department.
The next stages of the project will include the direct development of lecture materials and practical training sessions, as well as comprehensive support for the university during the integration of the course into the educational process. This will help ensure a fundamentally new level of training for Ukrainian specialists capable of effectively addressing the challenges of licensing, designing, and safely operating innovative nuclear facilities in Ukraine.