From June 28 to June 30, Yangon (Myanmar) hosted the Science Festival, organized by ROSATOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Myanmar. The event was held simultaneously at the Information Center for Nuclear Technologies and the Yangon Technological University.
The Science Festival is held in the countries of ROSATOM presence and traditionally brings together active youth and the expert community, allowing them to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of science in an informal and friendly atmosphere. This year, such a festival was organized for the first time in Myanmar. More than 2200 students, experts, and teachers of Myanmar universities participated in the festival program.
The solemn opening ceremony of the event was held at the Yangon Technological University. The Minister for Science and Technology of Myanmar, Myo Thein Kyaw, and the Deputy General Director of Rosatom Nikolay Spasskiy, addressed the guests of the festival with a welcoming speech.
Myo Thein Kyaw noted: “Our country faces an ambitious task of incorporating nuclear energy into our energy mix. We have already started this process and are already thinking about who will carry on this work and uphold the project in the coming years. We place our trust in the youth at the festival, as they hold the key to our aspirations. It is crucial to foster a deeper understanding of the nuclear industry among young people, providing them with opportunities to study and engage in nuclear science.”
Dr. Moe Min Htwe, Deputy Director of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Ministry for Science and Technology of Myanmar said that “Nuclear energy can be applied in various peaceful areas, and it is good to help the young generation to acquire knowledge in this field”.
The festival encompasses various activities, such as “Nuclear Quest” and “Science Battle,” along with informative lectures, engaging discussions, and various interactive science games and master classes. Throughout the event, students and schoolchildren from Myanmar had the chance to explore the applications of nuclear technologies in energy, medicine, and agriculture. They actively participated by posing questions to experts from the esteemed National Nuclear Research Institute “MEPhI,” one of the world’s leading atomic universities. They also got a rare opportunity to watch Oliver Stone’s documentary film, “Nuclear Now.”
Student of the 9th grade Ma Khine Su Linn said: “During the festival, we attended lectures and took part in the “Science Battle”. Nuclear technology is very interesting.”
For reference
In November 2022 the Department of Electric Power Planning of the Ministry of Electric Power of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Rusatom Energy Projects signed the Мemorandum of understanding on cooperation in elaboration of the joint pre-feasibility study on nuclear power plants construction in Myanmar based on Russian small modular reactors technologies. The Memorandum of understanding fixes the next steps for Russian-Myanmar cooperation in the framework of small modular reactors project implementation in Myanmar.
