April 17, 2025, Moscow, Russia. – Entrance tests for admission of applicants to master’s programs of Russian universities for the demanded areas of training of operating personnel of Akkuyu NPP have been completed. On-line tests were conducted by instructors of Russian universities participating in the program.
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC continues to implement commitment to train Turkish specialists to work at Akkuyu NPP, as stipulated in the Russian-Turkish Intergovernmental Agreement on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Türkiye. In 2025-2026 academic year 70 budget-funded places have been allocated for the targeted training program for Turkish specialists in nuclear engineering and related fields. Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye who have graduated from Turkish universities providing education in sciences, technology and energy engineering with “Bachelor” qualification are accepted for the training.
In 2025, the number of higher education institutions of the Russian Federation participating in the educational program increased in accordance with the new demanded areas of training. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and National Research University MPEI are joined by National Research University Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Bauman MSTU) and Kazan State Power Engineering University (KSPEU). Universities, participating in the targeted personnel training program for Akkuyu NPP under construction in Türkiye are leaders of the ratings among Russian research universities.
“We are about to complete the fifteenth admission campaign for applicants to the Akkuyu NPP operating personnel training program. Now the admission boards are evaluating the results of the entrance tests, and in the near future 70 people will be selected to join the program in the new academic year. The program participants will have to master technical disciplines in demand at NPPs: Nuclear Physics and Technology, Heat Power Engineering and Heat Engineering, Electric Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering, Refrigeration, Cryogenic Engineering and Life Support Systems, and others. High-quality education at specialized universities and practical training at operating nuclear power plants allow us to train highly qualified engineers who will ensure reliable operation of the nuclear power plant. Through the educational program Rosatom conveys unique expertise in the field of operation of modern NPPs of Russian design to Türkiye,” said Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Chief Executive Officer Sergei Butckikh.
The program of targeted training of personnel for Akkuyu NPP is being implemented since 2011. Training of future Turkish engineers is financed from the budget of the Russian Federation in accordance with the allocated training quotas. During the training period, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC provides its future professionals with a scholarship, visa support, medical insurance, annual flight Istanbul-Moscow-Istanbul or Ankara-Moscow-Ankara, as well as transfer from an airport to the dormitories. After successful completion of their studies at a specialized Russian university, graduates get hired by Akkuyu Nuclear under an open-ended employment contract.
Reference
About the universities participating in the Akkuyu NPP operating personnel training program
National Research University Moscow Power Engineering Institute is one of the leading Russian higher-education institutions in the field of energy, electrical engineering, radio engineering, electronics, and information technologies. NRU MPEI has well-developed and up-to-date facilities. It comprises 12 institutes, has more than 100 research laboratories, a specialized pilot plant, a unique training combined heat and power plant (CHPP), Russia’s largest scientific and technical library, and a renewable energy test ground. Over 20 000 undergraduates and postgraduates study in 25 training fields at the university.
National Research Nuclear University Moscow Engineering Physics Institute is one of the best universities in Russia. It trains elite professionals for science, IT, and other high-tech sectors of the economy. NRNU MEPhI is a strategic partner and a base university of Rosatom for staffing and scientific and innovation support of the nuclear industry. The university consists of 11 institutes and has modern research infrastructure: laboratories, a library, and a technopark. Thousands of students are trained in 29 areas of training under the guidance of the best instructors and scientists. NRNU MEPhI has been training Turkish experts for Akkuyu NPP since 2011.
Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MSTU) conducts training in more than 70 specialties. Over 200 000 engineers have been trained at the university since its establishment. It ranks sixth in the overall rating of Russian universities according to RAEX.
Kazan State Power Engineering University, located in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, which has strong economic and cultural ties with the Republic of Türkiye, is one of the three specialized power engineering universities in Russia. It ranks among the leaders in the region in terms of the level of education, technical infrastructure, conditions for scientific work and academic process. The university provides staff retraining and advanced training for specialists in various fields of production, science, and technology.
About Akkuyu NPP
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant being built in the Republic of Türkiye. The Akkuyu NPP project includes four power units equipped with Generation 3+ VVER reactors of Russian design.
The capacity of each power unit will be 1200 MW. Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry being implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model.
