Harbin Engineering University has become the first Chinese higher education institution to receive an International Nuclear Management Academy certification for its master's program from the International Atomic Energy Agency. This is a breakthrough for China in international certification of a master's degree in nuclear energy engineering.

"We will leverage the university's strengths in cultivating nuclear talents and use the international educational platform to serve national strategies, training interdisciplinary talents with nuclear technology expertise, international vision, and management capabilities," said Yin Jingwei, president of the university.

The IAEA launched the INMA initiative in 2015 for universities worldwide, aiming to systematically train and enhance the comprehensive capabilities of managers in the nuclear field, supporting the peaceful use and safe development of nuclear energy globally.

Prestigious universities such as University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, Texas A&M University in the United States, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in Russia, and University of Tokyo in Japan have received the certification.

In 2018, under the guidance and support of the China Atomic Energy Authority, Harbin Engineering University initiated construction of the project.

The university, with its long history and rich heritage in nuclear disciplines, aligned its existing curriculum, faculty and laboratory platforms with international standards for nuclear management talent and applied for the certification.

Its master's program in nuclear energy engineering for international students focuses on enhancing students' nuclear management and leadership skills.

"The courses have been set according to certification standards, with minimum class hours for each type of course to ensure a comprehensive and balanced development of students' abilities," said Gao Puzhen, a professor from the university's College of Nuclear Science and Technology.

"The curriculum adds courses like 'Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Safety Culture' and 'Leadership', covering project planning, safety management, and cultural development to lay the foundation for students to become technically proficient and management-capable talents with an international perspective," she added.

The university also involves industry experts in teaching, with courses like "Nuclear Engineering Project Management" and "Nuclear Power Plant Construction Standards and Safety Standards" taught entirely by industry experts.

Additionally, the university invites experts to give lectures on the latest developments in nuclear science and technology, which are well received by students.

According to the training plan, over 30 industry experts provide English lectures for international students each year, effectively bridging classroom teaching with practical nuclear engineering.

"Interacting with top Chinese industry experts in class and hearing about their experiences in China's nuclear energy development has broadened our horizons and made us more eager for future nuclear engineering practice," said Pakistani student Babar Iqbal.

"The practical experience in the industry can help me grow into a composite nuclear management talent with solid professional knowledge and outstanding management skills, laying the foundation for me to practice on the international stage," he added.

In 2024, IAEA experts conducted an on-site assessment at the university.

The expert team listened to reports on the master's curriculum development, and faculty provided comprehensive presentations and detailed answers on course design and teaching implementation.

They also attended classes for international students and visited the Nuclear Science and Technology Experimental Center and the Virtual Simulation Experimental Teaching Center.

The experts evaluated the program's training scheme, educational conditions, and collaboration with the nuclear industry, concluding that the program met certification requirements for environmental awareness and adaptability, professional technical skills, comprehensive management skills, and strategic leadership capabilities.

Over the past years, the university has actively explored international talent cultivation and trained more than 300 international students in the nuclear field.

More than 100 graduates are now active in atomic energy agencies and related companies in countries such as Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria and Turkiye, as well as international organizations like the IAEA, serving as nuclear energy ambassadors connecting China's nuclear cooperation with the world and conveying friendly relations.