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Aslan M. Askar, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Busan, visited the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School(KINGS) on Tuesday, October 28. The visit aimed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between Korea and Kazakhstan in the fields of education and energy, and to gain first-hand insight into KINGS’s system for nurturing nuclear professionals, as well as its educational and research environment. During the visit, Consul General Askar received a briefing on KINGS’s academic programs and institutional overview, followed by a campus tour of key educational facilities. He showed strong interest in KINGS’s practice-oriented curriculum and its growing international cooperation network. He also met with Kazakh students currently studying at KINGS, engaging in meaningful discussions on their experiences in Korea, career opportunities in the nuclear industry, and the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

“KINGS is fostering globally competitive talents in the nuclear field and continues to broaden its international partnerships,” said Dr. Hak-kyu Lim,  Acting President of KINGS. “We expect that Consul General Askar’s visit will serve as a meaningful opportunity to enhance practical collaboration and mutual development between KINGS and Kazakhstan.” In response, Consul General Aslan M. Askar stated, “I was deeply impressed by KINGS’s high-quality education programs and the passionate academic atmosphere among its students. Continued cooperation between our two countries in the areas of energy and education will greatly benefit the growth and development of future generations.” Through this visit, KINGS and the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Busan reaffirmed the potential for collaboration in various areas, including the nuclear and energy industries, education, research, and human exchange. Both institutions agreed to maintain close communication to develop concrete cooperation plans and expand bilateral exchanges.

Consul General Askar, fluent in Russian, English, and Korean, has maintained close ties with Korea since 2011. He has introduced more than 800 Korean companies to Kazakhstan, contributing significantly to bilateral economic cooperation. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the first direct flight between Busan and Almaty in August 2025.

The visit was accompanied by a crew from Kazakhstan’s national broadcaster, Khabar TV, which conducted interviews with KINGS students and faculty members. The coverage will be aired in Kazakhstan, further raising awareness and interest in KINGS and Korea’s nuclear education system.

Aboitiz Power, a leading private energy company in the Philippines, visited the KEPCO International Graduate School (KINGS) on Wednesday, September 24, to explore opportunities for collaboration on nuclear education programs.

The visit comes as the Philippine government weighs the reintroduction of nuclear power to boost energy security and move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. It marked the beginning of a dialogue aimed at building long-term cooperation with KINGS.

The three-member delegation was led by Rolando J. Paulino, Aboitiz Power’s Chief Engineering & Projects Officer. The delegation toured the KINGS campus, examined its teaching facilities, and learned about the school’s practice-oriented nuclear curriculum and international partnerships.

Aboitiz Power is among the largest private energy firms in the Philippines, holding the top market share in power generation and ranking second in power distribution. In recent years, the company has stepped up investments in energy transition and clean energy initiatives across Southeast Asia.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, a KINGS representative said, “International collaboration is becoming increasingly essential as we work toward shared goals such as energy security and carbon neutrality. KINGS will continue to strengthen its global education capabilities by fostering practical nuclear professionals and solidifying its role as a global hub for nuclear education.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is actively reviewing the reintroduction of nuclear energy as part of its strategy to stabilize power supply and achieve carbon neutrality. The visit of Aboitiz Power to KINGS is expected to serve as an important first step in expanding bilateral cooperation in the nuclear sector.
 

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, a delegation of 12 from the Malaysian state-owned energy company PETRONAS, led by Senior Vice President Mohd Yusri Bin Mohamed Yusof, visited the Korea Electric Power Corporation International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS).

During the visit, the PETRONAS delegation toured KINGS’ nuclear education facilities and state-of-the-art research infrastructure, gaining an in-depth understanding of its differentiated academic programs, distinguished faculty, and internationally recognized research capabilities. The delegation expressed particular interest in KINGS’ specialized programs for nurturing nuclear professionals and its global cooperation initiatives.

PETRONAS is currently preparing for the introduction of nuclear power in Malaysia and is participating in Korea’s Nuclear Industry Inspection Program. As part of this program, the company made a special visit to KINGS, which has been leading the development of highly skilled professionals in the nuclear sector. Since its establishment, KINGS has systematically trained advanced professionals in nuclear and energy fields while expanding its international role through collaborations with global energy companies.

At the event, Acting President Lim Hak-kyu warmly welcomed the PETRONAS delegation and expressed hope for the development of forward-looking cooperative relations between the two institutions. Following this, Senior Vice President Mohd Yusri remarked, “We are deeply grateful for KINGS’ warm hospitality and meticulous preparation. We hope this visit serves as a starting point for establishing a close and substantive partnership based on mutual trust, extending beyond mere exchanges. Furthermore, we expect that this cooperation will contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the nuclear and energy sectors.”

Building on this visit, KINGS plans to further strengthen its partnerships with global energy companies, including those in Malaysia, and to continue leading the advancement of the nuclear and energy industries through sustained, practical exchanges, while expanding its role as a global hub for nuclear education.

KINGS–CTU open NCC in Prague…
Platform encompassing education, research, and training begins operation
Full-scale nuclear workforce development in the Czech Republic

On September 9, the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS, Acting President Im Hak-gyu) and the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FNSPE) of the Czech Technical University (CTU, Acting Rector Zbyněk Škvor) held an opening ceremony for the Czech–Korea Nuclear Cooperation Center (Nuclear Collaboration Center, NCC) at the CTU campus in Prague, Czech Republic, officially announcing its launch.

The NCC is expected to serve as a key forward base for nurturing the Czech nuclear workforce, by systematizing bilateral academic and institutional cooperation and functioning as a hub platform that integrates nuclear education, research, and training.

Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Lukáš Vlček, stated in his congratulatory remarks, “It is very meaningful that our two countries are expanding cooperation beyond the nuclear industry into education. The Czech government highly values this academia–industry cooperation model, and we expect the NCC to become a stepping stone for the success of the Czech nuclear power program.”

Jan Rataj, Head of the Department of Nuclear Reactors at CTU and Director of the NCC, said, “Korea has world-class capabilities in nuclear education and research. Through the establishment of this center, Czech students will gain valuable opportunities for exchange and learning.”

KINGS and CTU also signed an additional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the event, outlining the expansion of student and faculty exchanges, promotion of joint research, and an increase in the operational scope of the center.

In the panel discussion that followed, experts from the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Dukovany NPP project owner (EDU II), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), and KINGS discussed strategies for nuclear technology cooperation, education linkage, and training of nuclear professionals.

Mr. Lim Hak-gyu, Acting President of KINGS, stated, “An integrated platform of education, research, and training is essential for cultivating sustainable and competitive nuclear talent. The NCC will contribute to developing future nuclear leaders through exchange programs, joint degree offerings, and training centers.”
Professor Juyoul Kim, Director of the NCC and faculty member at KINGS, said, “We will produce field-ready professionals through demand-oriented curricula and joint research projects.”

The event was attended by many key figures from both countries’ governments, industries, and academia, including Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček, Korean Ambassador to the Czech Republic Hong Young-ki, Czech National Security Advisor Tomáš Pojar, Dean of FNSPE Václav Čuba, Vice President of the Korea Nuclear Export Industry Association Lee Min-cheol, and Director of KHNP Dukovany Construction Office Seo Jun-kyo.

Chairman of KINGS and President of KHNP, Hwang Joo-ho, delivered a congratulatory message, stating, “I hope the NCC will become a core hub that systematically incorporates Korea’s nuclear expertise into Czech curricula and on-site training. We will do our utmost to build a strong academic and industrial network.”

Going forward, the NCC will strengthen the educational capacity of CTU’s Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and provide research space, office space, and administrative support for Korean nuclear experts.

Through lectures, academic events, and long-term educational programs, the center aims to build a sustainable platform for cooperation between the two countries and to foster nuclear talent capable of competing on the global stage. 

Source: Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=359644)

Strengthening its status as a global nuclear power education platform
On the 16th, the Philippine Deputy Minister of Energy and other NPC, PEPRD, and PNRI officials visited
On the 17th, a large delegation including the Czech Minister of Industry and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate visited
KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) is establishing itself as a center for cooperation in the global nuclear power industry and education.
This month, high-ranking figures in the energy sector from the Philippines and the Czech Republic have visited KINGS one after another, further enhancing its status as an international education platform.
First, on the 9th, six executives including Ronnie Aperocho, Vice President of Meralco, the largest power company in the Philippines, visited the campus.
This visit was intended to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in the nuclear energy field between the two institutions, and discussed practical cooperation plans through interviews with key figures from KINGS, including Acting President Lim Hak-kyu, Director of Planning and Cooperation Park Soo-jin, and Department Head Yoon Ju-il.
On the 16th, seven key figures in the nuclear energy and energy fields, including Undersecretary of Energy Giovani Carlo J. Bacordo of the Philippine Department of Energy, are scheduled to visit KINGS.
Undersecretary Bacordo is scheduled to visit Korea as part of the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP), and plans to use this schedule to directly tour domestic nuclear energy education sites and explore possibilities for cooperation between the two countries.
Key figures who will also visit on this day include Manuel Luis Buan Plofino, Vice President of Technology at the National Power Corporation of the Philippines (NPC), and Angel Chona Grace Eye. Valero-Nunez (Atty. Angel Chona Grace I. Valero-Nunez), Deputy Director of the Philippine Energy and Policy Research Institute (PEPRD), and Jeana Lee Pusta-Sablay, Senior Scientific Researcher of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) are included.
On the following day, the 17th, Czech Minister of Industry Vlcek will visit KINGS with a large delegation of about 35 people, including members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and industry and media figures.
This visit is expected to be an opportunity to promote a deeper understanding of Korean nuclear power technology and education models, and discuss specific measures to expand cooperation in education and research in the nuclear sector between the two countries.
The delegation also includes Czech parliamentarians such as Senator Miroslav Plevny and Representative Robert Teleki.
A KINGS official said, “The fact that high-ranking officials from around the world are paying attention to KINGS reflects their trust in our experience in nurturing practical nuclear power talent and our global educational capabilities,” and added, “We will continue to expand our exchanges with the international nuclear power industry and fulfill our responsibility as a global educational platform.” 

Source: [Electric Times] https://www.electimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=357767