INVESTING IN YOUTH TODAY, WE ARE BUILDING THE ENERGY SECTOR OF TOMORROW. RESULTS OF THE ALL-UKRAINIAN ESSAY CONTEST «NUCLEAR ENERGY AND THE WORLD» – 2025

Modern energy relies on engineering solutions and technologies developed by highly qualified specialists. But where does the journey of future specialists begin? At Energy Safety Group, we believe it starts with curiosity that emerges long before one’s first job or project. It can stem from a school experiment, a paper written late at night, or even a simple question: «How does an atom work?»

We believe that investing in this interest at an early stage is crucial for developing future engineers, researchers, and leaders. That is why Energy Safety Group is once again partnering with JSC «NNEGC «Energoatom» and the Ukrainian Nuclear Society to host the All-Ukrainian competition of essays on nuclear topics. This competition provides a unique platform for schoolchildren to learn how to analyze information, ask the right questions, and develop their initial professional skills – skills that are essential in modern engineering and energy fields.

The final stage on 11–12 December 2025 brought together 26 high school students from different regions of Ukraine – from satellite towns of NPPs (Varash, Netishyn, Pivdennoukrayinsk), as well as from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Slavutych, Uzhhorod, and Chop. The online format ensured equal conditions for presenting scientific works from across the country. The presented abstracts, devoted to issues in physics, safety, and future technologies, demonstrated the depth of the participants’ thinking and their desire to understand complex processes. Clear evaluation criteria, academic requirements and work on real topics form a culture of research that we at ES Group highly value.

The competition entries were assessed by an expert jury made up of representatives from prominent nuclear industry companies, scientific institutions, and higher education establishments in Ukraine. The CTO Oleksandr Mazurok, from the Energy Safety Group, served as a jury member. Evaluations were based on several criteria, including the relevance of the topic, depth of analysis, clarity of presentation, quality of conclusions, and effectiveness of the oral defense.

«We supported an inspiring motivational event for schoolchildren who have a genuine interest in nuclear energy and nuclear physics. I had the honor of serving on the jury, which was an interesting and diverse experience. I sincerely hope that these students continue their studies in these fields and ultimately join the Energy Safety Group team,» shared Oleksandr Mazurok, CTO of Energy Safety Group.

Based on the results of the competition, the prize places were distributed as follows:

• 1st place – Andrii Bobrov (Kyiv, Kyivska Rus Gymnasium, Grade 9), «The Use of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins to Enhance the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants»
• 2nd place – Yevheniia Tomishyna (Chop, Chop Lyceum, Grade 11), «Analysis of a Computer Model of the Photofission Process of Plutonium Isotopes Using an Electron Accelerator»
• 3rd place – Anastasiia Vlasiuk (Sudylkiv village, Khmelnytskyi region, Sudylkiv Lyceum, Grade 11), «Radiation and Radiation Safety of Nuclear Power Plants in Today’s Conditions»

In addition to the main prize winners, the jury recognized participants who demonstrated a high level of research, creativity, or an unconventional approach to the topic:

• Daryna Bovhyra (Varash, Varash Lyceum No. 6, Grade 11) – «Nuclear Energy in Space: The Future of Interplanetary Technologies»
• Andrii Boiko (Kharkiv, Kharkiv Lyceum No. 3, Grade 11) – «Nuclear Energy Through the Eyes of a Gamer: How Computer Games Shape Attitudes Toward the Atom»
• Nataliia Martynko (Yuzhnoukrainsk, Lyceum No. 5, Grade 11) – «Thermonuclear Fusion as an Alternative to Nuclear Power»

ES Group congratulates the winners and all finalists on their impressive results and confident steps towards further professional development in the nuclear and energy sectors. We believe that participation in such competitions is an essential stage in the formation of future specialists and the beginning of new achievements in the industry.

As a company engaged in complex engineering projects, we understand that a thriving industry begins with genuine opportunities for individuals who aspire to reach their full potential. That’s why, at Energy Safety Group, we go beyond mere social support; we actively promote initiatives that pave the way for talented students and generate added value for the entire energy sector.

By investing in young people now, we are investing in our future together.