Kirk D. Atkinson visits the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw.
2026-06-01
From 18 to 22 May 2026, the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw hosted Prof. Kirk D. Atkinson from Ontario Tech University, Director of the Centre for Small Modular Reactors and an expert in nuclear technologies. The visit marks another step in developing international cooperation between the Faculty of Physics UW, the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ), and Ontario Tech University.
On Monday, 18 May, Prof. Kirk D. Atkinson delivered a lecture for students of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw on modern nuclear technologies developed in Canada, including SMRs (Small Modular Reactors). Prof. Atkinson was introduced to the Faculty’s research infrastructure and visited the Heavy Ion Laboratory. Together with representatives of the University of Warsaw and NCBJ, he also visited the MARIA research reactor at the National Centre for Nuclear Research.
The meetings were attended, among others, by Dr. hab. Krzysztof Turzyński, University Professor and Vice-Dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Physics UW; Prof. Dr. hab. Eng. Jakub Kupecki, Director of NCBJ; Dr. Eng. Jakub Ośko; Dr. hab. Agnieszka Korgul, University Professor, coordinators of the postgraduate programme “Nuclear Technologies” jointly run by UW and NCBJ; and Dr. Rafał Prokopowicz, also from NCBJ. Representatives of the Embassy of Canada, Arkadiusz Wysocki and Barbara Bedka, were also present.
The visit was a continuation of the cooperation initiated during the Polish economic mission to Canada in November 2025, which was attended by representatives of NCBJ and the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, including Prof. Agnieszka Korgul.
During the meetings, key areas of cooperation were discussed, including training specialists for the nuclear energy sector, developing modern educational programmes, scientific and research collaboration, support for the nuclear industry, and building expertise in SMR technologies.
The visit marks another step in developing international cooperation between the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, NCBJ, and Ontario Tech University. The partners plan further joint research projects, the supervision of diploma theses, and the development of teaching and research collaboration in the field of nuclear technologies.
The visit was organised thanks to the support of the project “University of Warsaw for Nuclear Energy. Establishment of a new study programme and redesign of existing educational pathways related to nuclear energy”, implemented under the European Funds for Social Development Programme (FERS) 2021–2027.