NSSPI is collaborating with Tomsk Polytechnic University to facilitate the exchange of relevant cultural information and nuclear best practices to ensure the next generation of American and Russian nuclear experts are properly equipped to make meaningful advances in the field of nuclear cooperation. Multiple mechanisms will be utilized to accomplish these objectives:

(1)    Collaborative Curriculum Development on subjects related to Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safeguards, and Security,

(2)    Research in the fields of nuclear terrorism, future safeguards systems evaluation, and treaty verification regime requirements,

(3)     Participation from TAMU and TPU in the Foreign Field Experience (FFE), and

(4)    Student and Faculty exchanges to ensure joint research and curriculum development will continue to benefit both universities and host countries, and enable students and faculty to take advantage of resources and capabilities at both sites.

This program is a unique opportunity for American and Russian educators and students working in the fields needed for future cooperation between the United States and Russian Governments to not only become familiar with the cultural ideals of their counterparts but to substantially contribute to the academic and technical state of their field.

NSSPI Reseach Engineer Dr. Alexander Solodov (joint faculty with ORNL) gave a lecture via distance education to the South Urals Polytechnical College in Ozersk, Russia under the National Research Nuclear University. Dr. Solodov lectured on nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Under the Russian Academic Program on Nonproliferation and International Security (RAP-NIS) program (funded by the US Department of Energy), NSSPI has engaged the Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute (MEPhI) and the Institute of Atomic Energy (IATE) at Obninsk State Technical University in joint curriculum development and research activities within the fields of Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safeguards, and Security. Furthermore, students from TAMU, MEPhI, and IATE have participated jointly in foreign field experiences in various countries (UK, France, Switzerland) to visit nuclear fuel cycle facilities and discuss safeguards implementation with nuclear operators and subject matter experts.

NSSPI is collaborating with the Institute of Applied Physics and Engineering at Tomsk Polytechnic University to bring Russian students to Texas A&M University to perform research in the fields of Nuclear Safeguards and Security. Interns stay in the U.S. for 10 weeks and are given the opportunity to spend time at U.S. National Laboratories and experience graduate educational activities in an American University.

In August 2012, a TAMU delegation consisting of NSSPI faculty and students achieved a major milestone towards closer collaboration between the two universities after the MOU outlining areas of joint work was signed by TPU rector Chubik and TAMU president, Bowen Loftin.

From August 10 - 20, 2012, NSSPI faculty and students traveled to Tomsk in Russia to participate in the 6^th International Nonproliferation Summer School: "Nuclear Technologies: Nonproliferation, Disarmament, and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy." They also met with and discussed joint research and educational projects with Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) faculty, signed a joint TAMU-TPU Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and toured the TPU Museum, Exhibition Center, Educational laboratories, and the Atomic Energy Information Center.