Cracow University of Technology (CUT) has become a member of the prestigious European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN)—an organization dedicated to supporting education and research in nuclear energy and related fields. This membership opens up exciting new opportunities for students and academic staff, including access to international training programs, scholarships, and collaboration with leading research institutes and nuclear industry companies.
The European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) fulfills its mission—to encourage and educate professionals for the demanding nuclear energy sector—through close cooperation between universities, research institutes, regulatory bodies, industry, and other organizations involved in the applications of nuclear science and ionizing radiation. The network brings together experts in nuclear power plant design and operation, nuclear fuel, waste management, and safety. ENEN is a partner in 11 international education and training projects funded by the European Union, all aimed at increasing the number of students and young researchers entering the nuclear field.
“Crakow University of Technology’s accession to the European Nuclear Education Network represents a major opportunity for students—especially those studying energy and nuclear energy—who will now be able to participate in international courses, summer schools, and workshops, as well as apply for scholarships for internships and study visits. A particularly valuable aspect for our young engineers is the chance to apply for placements at leading nuclear institutions affiliated with ENEN, such as research centers like CERN, SCK CEN, CEA, JRC, and major companies in the nuclear sector, including EDF, Framatome, Westinghouse, or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” says Dr. hab. Eng. Artur Cebula from the Department of Power Engineering at Krakow University of Technology.
ENEN collaborates with leading universities and research centers, enabling students to participate in free or subsidized online courses focused on nuclear topics, as well as gain access to specialized educational materials, lectures, and databases. Joining the ENEN network will also bring significant benefits to the university’s academic staff.
“The association promotes research and innovation, actively engaging in scientific projects—particularly in the areas of reactor safety, radioactive waste management, and emerging nuclear technologies. It also collaborates closely with the industry, working to bridge the gap between academia and the economy, which helps align educational programs with real labor market needs. By bringing together universities, research institutes, and the nuclear industry, ENEN aims to standardize and enhance the quality of education in the field of nuclear energy. We will now have the opportunity to take part in all these initiatives,” emphasizes Dr. hab. Eng. Marzena Nowak-Ocłoń from the Department of Power Engineering at CUT.
During the first official presentation of Crakow University of Technology at the ENEN forum in Brussels, Professor Artur Cebula showcased the university’s history and scientific achievements, along with the work of its research and teaching teams in the field of nuclear energy. He presented the university’s model of nuclear energy education, which is based on modern study programs, collaboration with other institutions—such as the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Crakow and the Research Centre Řež in the Czech Republic—and access to modern research laboratories.
Nuclear Power Engineering at Cracow University of Technology
Crakow University of Technology offers a dedicated program in nuclear energy, including a specialization in this field at the Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Crakow.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics such as: new nuclear power units, nuclear safety systems, cooling technologies, properties of structural and operational materials used in machinery, thermal and nuclear power engineering, material technologies and durability, technologies supporting nuclear installations, monitoring techniques for systems and components in nuclear power plants, environmental impacts of nuclear power plant operation, as well as the environmental, economic, and legal aspects of investment processes.
Students also learn the principles of construction, modeling, operation, design, and regulation of energy, power, and heating installations.
The curriculum also includes off-campus laboratory sessions and study visits to nuclear energy industrial and research facilities, both in Poland and abroad. One such partner is the Czech Research Centre Řež (Centrum výzkumu Řež, CVŘ), with which Krakow University of Technology has signed a cooperation agreement in the areas of education and research. CVŘ is one of the most important nuclear energy centers in Central Europe, equipped with experimental research reactors and advanced technological testing facilities.
In December, a group of students from the Crakow University of Technology, specializing in nuclear energy, participated in their first study visit and practical training at the Czech Research Centre Řež. During their visit, the students had the opportunity to explore the LVR-15 reactor (a multifunctional research platform with a thermal power output of 10 MWt), the LR-0 reactor (one of the most flexible experimental reactors in the world), and the Hot Cells Laboratory (a specialized facility for analyzing highly radioactive samples). They also took part in practical exercises in materials testing and nuclear fuel laboratories.
Personnel who are being trained at the Cracow University of Technology for the nuclear industry will be able to participate in the project to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant. To this end, among others, the university has signed a cooperation agreement with Mostostal Kraków SA, one of the seven Polish companies selected to carry out this project. The agreement covers, among other things, joint implementation of teaching and research and development projects, as well as expert cooperation in the construction of the Polish nuclear power plant.
Source:
