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The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen has signed a cooperation agreement with EDF, French state company which is taking part in the tender on building new nucler power plants in the Czech Republic. The university and EDF agreed on various activities that will develop nuclear energy education and research. Both parties will support increasing the number of students in the field of nuclear energy in the Czech Republic in order to meet the future requirements of the industry corresponding to the Czech nuclear programme.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on 15th September as part of the Nuclear Days, traditional conference in Pilsen, with participation of the rector of the university Miroslav Lávička, and Roman Zdebor, Director of the Czech branch of EDF.

"The long-term cooperation between the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and our French partners covers many different fields. One of the significant milestones of this cooperation was the first tender for the completion of the Temelín nuclear power plant, which had a demonstrable impact on the interest of applicants to study fields focused on nuclear energy at our Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. I am pleased to welcome the cooperation with EDF and firmly believe that it will be beneficial for both parties," said ZČU rector Miroslav Lávička.

„Czech government is planning to build up to four new nuclear units which will require significant strenghtenning of education and human workforce qualification. EDF is ready to contribute to the success of Czech nuclear programme by sharing its know-how from designing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants in Europe,“ said Roman Zdebor, Director EDF Nuclear Czechia.

The cooperation between the Czech and French nuclear industries takes place already for decades. Now the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and EDF will focus on establishing collaborative initiatives to improve education, targeting nuclear energy students in graduate and post-graduate studies, in order to develop and enhance technical knowledge relevant to the professional needs of the nuclear industry.

Specifically, the new agreement names the areas of study visits of Czech students and teachers of the University to EDF Group companies, internships in EDF Group companies for students, postgraduate students (at doctoral level) and University teachers, and scholarships. Both parties want to support research projects in nuclear physics and engineering, in particular in the framework of European cooperation agreements. EDF will also provide to Czech academic community information with respect to EPR reactors and small modular reactor technology which will allow the community to get an up-to-date information.

The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen was founded in 1991. It is one of the most successful universities in the Czech Republic. With over 11 000 students and 2 000 employees the university draws on its tradition of technical specializations that are complemented and enriched by disciplines from the humanities, arts and health care.

EDF is the world's largest operator of nuclear power plants and a European leader in renewable energy, one of the world's largest low-carbon energy companies, operating across the entire electricity value chain, with activities including low-carbon electricity generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply and trading, and energy services, well established in Europe and operating in 23 countries.