OREANDA-NEWS. At the 7th BRICS summit, the State Corporation Rosatom and the Department of Energy of South Africa signed two Memoranda of Understanding: the Memorandum on cooperation in training personnel for the South African nuclear power industry and the Memorandum on cooperation in Enhancement of Public Awareness of Nuclear Energy in South Africa.

In accordance with the first document, Russia and South Africa intend to implement several joint projects for education in the nuclear power industry. The countries will cooperate in order to provide training for five categories of specialists for the South African nuclear industry: nuclear power plant (NPP) personnel, engineers and construction workers, staff for operations not related to the power industry, personnel for nuclear infrastructure, students and teachers.  

In accordance with this Memorandum, both parties will strive to realize education programs for 200 South African candidates at Russian universities and educational organizations. This Memorandum also stipulates the development of educational materials and scientific literature on nuclear power, student exchange programs for students of various levels of training, organization of internships and summer courses, student competitions and teacher training.

The second Memorandum signed in Ufa stipulates joint efforts of the parties aimed at promoting nuclear power in South Africa, increasing the awareness of local residents of modern nuclear technologies used in the power industry and in other industries, and ensuring public acceptance of nuclear power.

In particular, the parties have agreed to work out a plan for the implementation of a joint communication program to be launched in South Africa. The program will involve the organization of round tables and other events aimed at promotion nuclear power and modern nuclear technologies.

The State Corporation Rosatom and the South African Department of Energy will also consider the creation of a Nuclear Energy Information Center in South Africa. The parties seek to exchange information and best practices in the nuclear industry by organizing working visits and international conferences and exhibitions.

The memoranda signed in Ufa represent another stage in the cooperation between the two countries aimed at strengthening joint efforts between Russia and South Africa in the field of nuclear energy. The documents signed are the development of cooperation based on the Intergovernmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in Nuclear Energy and Industry at the 58th IAEA General Conference in Vienna. Prior to that, on November 20, 2004 the parties concluded an Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy.