A joint work with the IAEA on creation of a Virtual Nuclear University is close to its completion in connection with a signed agreement between MEPhI and the IAEA on creating its most important component INMA – International Nuclear Management Academy under the IAEA. The Virtual Nuclear University is an online platform and cybernetic part of the IAEA Cyber Learning Platform for Nuclear Education and Training (CLP4NET). The purpose of INMA is development and implementation of a full master program in management of nuclear technologies by IAEA standards in cooperation with other members of the Academy.

The signing took place on the 16th of September 2015 at the 59th General Conference of the IAEA. The agreement was signed by the MEPhI rector M.N. Strikhanov and the Deputy Director General of the IAEA, the Director of the Department of Nuclear Energy V.M. Chudakov. At the signing ceremony Mikhail Strikhanov noted the importance of that event for the strengthening of international cooperation between universities and the Agency and for increase of the University’s international competitiveness. And Mr. Chudakov pointed out the important contribution of MEPhI into educational projects of the IAEA in general and its key contribution to the creation of the International Nuclear Management Academy in particular. In addition to MEPhI a process of Academy creation involves leading nuclear universities of the USA, the UK, Japan, South Africa, China and Germany. At the July meeting universities from Canada, Italy, Indonesia, Ghana, Jordan, Vietnam and other countries announced their interest and possibility to join this initiative.

MEPhI is the first of the universities signed the agreement, and together with the University of Manchester it will participate in pilot implementation of the master program of the Academy.