Need policies to attract students to study nuclear power

Recently, the Government has assigned 11 universities and colleges to train in the field of nuclear power to implement the project "Training and developing human resources to serve the development of nuclear power by 2035". The concern of schools now is how to attract students.

NEED THOUSANDS OF WORKERS

Last May, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed a Decision approving the Project "Training and developing human resources for nuclear power development until 2035". The objective of the project is to train, develop and develop human resources for Vietnam's nuclear power development program. In particular, it is to meet the human resource needs for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants.

Nuclear engineering students at Dalat University exchange with foreign students

PHOTO: AN SON

Specifically, from now until 2030, Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 Nuclear Power Plants will need a total of about 3,900 people, of which 2,070 will have university degrees (engineers, bachelors) and 1,830 will have college degrees. The number of university-educated workers newly trained abroad will be 670.

In the immediate future, the Government will select 11 training institutions to participate in training and fostering human resources for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants, including Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), University of Electricity, Dalat University, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Ministry of Science and Technology), University of Science and Technology (Vietnam National University, Da Nang), University of Science and Technology (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), Hanoi University of Construction, Ho Chi Minh City College of Electricity (Southern Power Corporation, Vietnam Electricity Group), Vietnam College of Petroleum (Vietnam National Energy and Industry Group).

Currently, direct nuclear majors such as nuclear engineering and nuclear technology are only being trained at two universities: Ho Chi Minh City National University and Hanoi National University, Dalat University, University of Electricity and Hanoi University of Technology. The remaining universities and colleges train supporting majors such as electricity, mechanics, control, automation, etc.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu, Principal of the University of Technology (University of Danang), the school is training many majors related to the field of nuclear power such as electrical and electronic engineering, control and automation engineering, mechanical engineering, thermal and refrigeration engineering, mechatronics, construction engineering..., playing an important role in the design, operation, control and safety assurance of nuclear power plant systems.

At Ho Chi Minh City College of Electricity, Principal Le Tri Thien said that the school has been training according to orders from businesses for the fields of thermal power plant operation, industrial electricity, electrical and electronic engineering technology... "Ho Chi Minh City College of Electricity has been assigned 900 quotas by the Government from now until 2035. We are waiting for information on policies and technologies that the state decides to buy from abroad to operate the plant, from there, we can design a suitable training program and certainly there must be courses on nuclear power", Mr. Thien said.

Student of Nuclear Engineering Technology, University of Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

PHOTO: SCHOOL WEBSITE

DEVELOPING TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIP POLICIES

Dr. Tran Huu Duy, Head of Training Department of Da Lat University, shared that in 2011, Da Lat University was one of five schools selected to provide training for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant. However, in 2016, the National Assembly passed a resolution to temporarily suspend the project due to many objective factors, which greatly affected the enrollment of nuclear engineering or nuclear engineering technology majors.

According to Mr. Duy, with the information that the Government approved the nuclear power project, this year will have a good effect but there are concerns about enrollment. "The school has proactively increased the quota for nuclear engineering to 60 and added a nuclear power major. However, this is the first year that candidates take the high school graduation exam according to the 2018 education program, it can be seen that the number of students choosing physics is not much while this major requires a physics foundation," Dr. Duy commented.

However, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu said that the biggest difficulty at present is the fear of society and learners about nuclear power safety, due to the lack of official information. "In addition, nuclear power plants have not been built yet, making it impossible for training to be closely linked to practice and experimentation. The lack of simulation rooms, specialized training equipment and specialized learning materials is a significant obstacle, which needs to be invested in synchronously in the coming period," Mr. Hieu acknowledged.

Mr. Hieu proposed to establish national nuclear power simulation centers at some key training institutions so that students can access control systems, operations, and simulated situations of nuclear power plants. In addition, training should follow an interdisciplinary integrated model; strengthen international cooperation to exchange lecturers, import programs, and provide dual degrees.

"In particular, it is necessary to soon implement scholarship policies and job commitments. After being trained, students will serve at nuclear power plants according to order contracts, ensuring output and creating motivation for enrollment," Associate Professor, Dr. Hieu shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-chinh-sach-thu-hut-nguoi-hoc-nganh-dien-hat-nhan-185250615211347218.htm