Uzbekistan hosts 7th Science and Atom Festival

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan hosted the 7th Science and Atom Festival from 19 to 20 May, one of the country’s largest educational events aimed at promoting nuclear science, engineering disciplines, and modern technologies among young people.

The festival has been held in the republic since 2019 with the support of Rosatom and the Uzatom Agency. This year, more than 700 schoolchildren, students, and teachers took part in the event.

The first day of the festival was held at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and at the Information Center for Nuclear Technologies in Tashkent.

Welcoming speeches were delivered by Shavkat Abdukamilov, Executive Director of the Tashkent branch of MEPhI; Ekaterina Makarova, CEO of Energy of the Future; and Davran Isanbekov, Head of Human Resources at the Uzatom Agency.

The forum program included lectures, master classes, scientific experiments, and interactive demonstrations dedicated to modern achievements in science and technology.

A lecture on quantum physics was delivered by science popularizer and physicist Dmitry Pobedinsky. Aerospace engineer and participant of the cosmonaut training program at TsPK–MAI Nikita Matasov spoke about the prospects of the space industry and cosmonaut training.

Shokhmirzo Umarov, Chief Specialist at the Department for the Introduction of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technologies of the Uzatom Agency, presented information on the prospects for nuclear energy development in Uzbekistan and spoke about the international educational and scientific center Obninsk Tech.

The practical part of the festival allowed participants to explore physical processes and engineering technologies in an interactive format. Schoolchildren and students assembled and launched rocket models, took part in robotics sessions, and worked with a 3D model of a lunar nuclear power plant.

The second day of the festival was held at a specialized school in Bogdon settlement, Farish district of Jizzakh region, near the site of a future integrated nuclear power plant.

More than 150 local schoolchildren participated in the activities. Students and teachers from the Tashkent branch of MEPhI and representatives of the Uzatom Agency delivered presentations and lectures.

Participants took part in thematic quests, games, and career guidance sessions focused on the application of nuclear technologies in various fields. The program concluded with a screening and discussion of the film “Earth, I Am With You”.

Alexey Dremuchev, Head of Rosatom’s Central Asia office, noted that today’s schoolchildren and students will become part of shaping the country’s future scientific and technological potential.

He said such festivals help young people become familiar with modern scientific fields and encourage interest in engineering and technical professions.

Experts emphasized that the development of educational programs in nuclear technology and engineering sciences is becoming increasingly important amid the implementation of major infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. Training young specialists is considered a key factor in building national human capital for high-tech industries.

It is noted that Rosatom organizes science and atom festivals in many countries developing nuclear technologies, including Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Vietnam, Egypt, and India.