French experts to train future nuclear plant staff in Kazakhstan

Grenoble INP — Phelma, UGA, one of France’s top engineering schools, will open a branch in Kazakhstan next year, in partnership with Satbayev University in Almaty. The move follows an agreement signed between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan and the French university, as part of Kazakhstan’s initiative to bring foreign university branches into the country.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Sayasat Nurbek and French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet. The agreement was signed by the vice presidents of the two institutions — Gulgen Alpan on behalf of Phelma, UGA, and Samgat Ermekbayev on behalf of Satbayev University.

Grenoble INP — Phelma, UGA is one of the largest scientific centers in Europe, with deep expertise in nuclear technology, electronics, and materials science. The university is also ranked among the top institutions globally in the QS and Times Higher Education rankings.

The new branch plans to offer a double degree program in a 3+1 format. Students will study nuclear engineering, renewable energy, and advanced technical sciences, with internship opportunities at French nuclear power plants.

«These programs are especially relevant in the context of the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). Students participating in the program will be able to intern at French NPPs, 56 reactors of which provide over 70% of the country’s energy supply. Graduates will become qualified, practice-oriented specialists ready to work at domestic energy facilities,» the department reported.

The first NPP, with a capacity of 2.4 GW, is planned for construction in the village of Ulken, on the shore of Lake Balkhash in Almaty Region. The cost of the project will be at least $14 billion, according to Almassadam Satkaliyev, Chair of the Atomic Energy Agency. The plant will be built by an international consortium led by Russia’s Rosatom.