Peaceful Atom in Schools: Rosatom Trains the Engineers of the Future
Rosatom has launched a new educational program for high school students focused on digital technologies in nuclear energy. The initiative gathered students from across Russia and marks the first step in systematically preparing young talent for work in a high-tech industry.
From Lectures to Real Projects
Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has developed a specialized course for high school students dedicated to digital technologies in next-generation nuclear energy. The course was created by experts from JSC 'Proryv' — the project division developing a new technological platform based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle and fast-neutron reactors.
The first sessions took place in September 2025 as part of the educational program at the Presidential Lyceum 'Sirius.' For several days, students from various Russian regions attended lectures on digital twins, information modeling, software modules, and new-generation codes. Beyond theory, the program offered hands-on assignments, allowing participants to personally experience the effectiveness of modern digital tools.
Why It Matters
Training specialists in digitalization for the nuclear sector is a strategic priority for Russia. The nuclear industry is on the verge of a technological shift: automated robotic systems, digital twins, and AI-based control platforms all require a new generation of specialists with cross-disciplinary expertise.
Modern nuclear engineering demands a deep understanding of how digital tools are applied throughout the entire life cycle of a nuclear facility — from design and construction to operation and decommissioning. Previously, such knowledge was taught only at universities, and even then, only in fragments. Introducing digital disciplines at the high school level represents a major breakthrough.
The Rosatom course fits into a broader ecosystem of educational initiatives. For several years, the corporation has been running the nationwide 'Digital Lesson' program on quantum technologies, which engaged over one million students across Russia in April 2025.
The new course on digital nuclear technologies extends that trajectory, focusing on the practical application of digital tools in production and management.
Connecting Education and Industry
In parallel with its educational initiatives, Rosatom is expanding its paid internship programs for engineering students specializing in digital technologies for nuclear power plants. These internships provide hands-on experience and often lead directly to employment, forming a full training cycle — from early school exposure to university-level specialization and entry into the industry.
At 'Sirius,' students also had the chance to meet young Rosatom researchers developing digital solutions for the nuclear sector, explore what a scientific career in the industry looks like, and learn about engineering programs at Russia’s leading technical universities. By creating its own educational programs, Rosatom strengthens its image not only as a global energy technology leader but also as a scientific and educational hub.
The course can be adapted for other nations developing nuclear and digital infrastructure — including India, Egypt, Turkey, and Central Asian countries.
Looking Ahead
Over the next one to two years, Rosatom plans to expand the course, adding new topics such as the Industrial Internet of Things, cybersecurity, and digital management platforms, while increasing the number of participants.
In the medium term (three to five years), the program could become part of the standard curriculum in technical universities, complemented by hackathons, contests, and specialized camps. This approach will help create a pool of young specialists familiar with the digital architecture of next-generation nuclear energy.
