Kazakhstan and Germany to jointly teach nuclear engineers

Kazakhstan plans to teach students of nuclear power engineering in partnership with German universities, according to Minister of Science Sayasat Nurbek. 

The minister added that the two countries will sign six agreements in the field of higher education and academic research following the meeting of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

According to Nurbek, energy will be one of the most critical areas of cooperation. As part of this initiative, the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is going to open its branch at the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications.

Anhalt University is a public university in Germany with branches in Bernburg, Dessau and Köthen. The university has switched to a two-tier system of Bachelor’s and Master’s education since 2004 in accordance with the Bologna Process.

He also highlighted that the agency is set to launch joint educational programs in nuclear energy with German universities by 2025.

«You know, Germany has phased out its nuclear program, but highly qualified personnel are still there. We are fortunate that Anhalt University is one of the core institutions specializing in this field,» Nurbek said.

He explained that the nuclear power program graduates may complete double majors and obtain two diplomas, one from Kazakhstan and one from Germany.

«Germany is a strong engineering country, especially in power circuit management and electric power generation,» the minister highlighted. 

Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, Germany passed a law to gradually shut down all nuclear power plants. The last three German nuclear power plants were shut down in April 2023.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is trying to modernize the scientific sector, as Kazakhstan currently has two Academies of Science — one old and one new. According to Nurbek, the old academy exists as a republican public association, and the government has no right to interfere in its activities. When asked by journalists if this means Kazakhstan will continue to have two academies of sciences, the minister confirmed that this is indeed the case.