MPEI presents a unique SMath-based textbook for nuclear power plant component calculations: advancing Russian-Vietnamese cooperation

On May 23, 2025, MPEI held an international presentation of the textbook "Calculation of nuclear power plant components using SMath." Developed by professors and researchers, the book symbolizes strong scientific and educational cooperation between Russia and Vietnam in the vital nuclear energy field.

The event was in a hybrid format with representatives from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam, the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Rossotrudnichestvo, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), and the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM).

MPEI Rector Nikolay Rogalev opened the online presentation and emphasized that the textbook is a significant contribution to the development of next-generation engineering education. Moreover, it supports the expansion of joint educational programs between the technical universities of both countries.

In his address to the participants, His Excellency Gennady Bezdetko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam, said: "The presented textbook not only provides access to modern engineering methods and digital platforms but also forms part of a shared effort to train a new generation of engineers proficient in both theory and practice. The authors have done significant and professional work by uniting the efforts of Russian and Vietnamese specialists."

“Initiatives like today’s presentation clearly demonstrate how joint educational projects foster trust, understanding, and long-term cooperation between Russia and Vietnam”, - Vladimir Murashkin, Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Hanoi, said.

Concluding the opening remarks, Evgeny Mitrofanov, Counselor at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam and representative of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, highlighted the project’s significance within the Consortium collaboration:
"This publication is not just a textbook. It is an important outcome of the focused work we are carrying out together within the Russian-Vietnamese Consortium of Technical Universities. I am especially pleased that the publication addresses a field critical to both countries, such as nuclear energy, that is rightly regarded as a strategic resource for the future."

The textbook authors are Professor Valery Ochkov, Head of the Theoretical Bases of Heat Engineering Department (TBHE), Yulia Shatskikh, and Low Temperatures​Department (LT) Assistant Chan Quoc Thinh. The book’s uniqueness lies in its practical focus and use of the free SMath Studio software. Designed for both English- and Russian-speaking students, it features carefully developed calculation algorithms and is suitable for educational programs in Russia and abroad. The demonstration showcased the program’s interface, key functions, examples of mathematical modeling of core NPP processes, and practical case studies included in the textbook.

At the end of the presentation, participants had the opportunity to ask the authors questions and discuss the use of SMath in teaching and research. Copies of the textbook were given to the HUST library.

The event marked the final occasion of the official visit of MPEI representative, Anastasia Mashkova, Director on Integration Policy Development, to Vietnam. During the visit, agreements on cooperation were signed with Thai Nguyen University, the International Department of Le Quy Don University, and HPT VIỆT NAM JSC.

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Since 2023, MPEI has chaired the Russian-Vietnamese Consortium of Technical Universities, serving as a platform for sustainable academic and research exchange. More details about the consortium’s activities can be found at rus-viet-tech-edu.ru. MPEI continues to strengthen its international leadership by shaping a modern engineering agenda and supporting the training of highly qualified specialists for the global nuclear industry.