Indian Student Wins Prestigious Nuclear Science Fellowship

Moscow: 

Hemangi Shrivastava, an Indian student pursuing a Master’s degree in Electronics and Nanoelectronics at Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), has won the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) for women in nuclear science. MPEI is part of Rosatom’s core and partner university network.

Originally from India, Shrivastava chose to specialise in illumination engineering and sources of light, a field she describes as a “perfect blend of science and art.” While not directly related to nuclear science, she sees its connection to energy accessibility. “The cheaper and easier access to electricity, the more illuminated a country’s streets are,” she noted.

Shrivastava was inspired to apply for the MSCFP after attending the 2023 World Youth Festival in Sirius, Russia, organised by Rosatom. “A female Turkish professor explained how nuclear energy is part of everything, even light,” she said. “I am grateful to Rosatom, the IAEA, and the MSCFP for this opportunity.”

The MSCFP was launched in 2020 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to encourage more women to enter the nuclear sector. Each year, over 100 female students worldwide receive the fellowship. Since its launch, 560 students from 121 countries have been selected from more than 2,200 applicants.

Rosatom has been a strong supporter of the MSCFP, funding around 40 female students from 17 countries over the past four years. This year, 12 students from Rosatom’s partner universities in 10 countries—including Armenia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe—received the scholarship. The fellowship covers tuition, internships, a monthly stipend, and additional financial support from Rosatom.

“Rosatom values people above all and invests in human resources development,” said Vera Upirova, Senior Manager at Rosatom’s Project Office for Education Development and International Cooperation. “By supporting talented women in the nuclear industry, we align with the IAEA’s mission and contribute to building trust in green nuclear energy.”

Rosatom has long integrated sustainability into its strategy. In 2020, it adopted a unified policy on sustainable development and joined the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Today, Rosatom is Russia’s leading producer of low-carbon electricity, supplying about 20% of the country’s power.