MOSCOW. JULY 20, 2023. PIR PRESS. «The Dual Degree M.A. Program was a unique opportunity for me to get acquainted with such highly specialized disciplines and different approaches to the organization of the educational process. Although studying, working on the dissertation and the final exam were not easy, the knowledge gained allows me to be confident in my own capabilities. I am grateful to PIR Center, MGIMO University and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey for their consistent efforts to train a new generation of young professionals to promote balanced approaches to nonproliferation, arms control and peaceful uses of atomic energy», — Alexandra Aladko, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (developed by MGIMO, PIR Center and Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA).
PIR Center has summarized the results of the 6th cohort students (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center). Seven students of the Program have graduated this year: Alexandra Aladko, Edward Kendall, Darya Kheyrie, Konstantin Larionov, Rebecca Pantani, Galina Salnikova and Océane Van Geluwe. After two years of studies, they demonstrated their knowledge, passed their final exams and defended master’s theses written by each of them under the scientific guidance of representatives of MGIMO University and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA.
On June 14, 2023, the students passed the state exam. On June 22, 2023, the master’s thesis defense procedure took place as well. This year, H.E. Anatoly Antonov, Ph.D. in Political Science, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the USA, held a position of the Chairman of the State Examination Commission. The Commission also included the following members: Dr. Ildar Akhtamzyan, Ph.D. in History, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia at MGIMO University, Member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Lieutenant General (ret.) Evgeny Buzhinsky, Ph.D. in Military Sciences, Chairman of PIR Center Executive Board; Dr. Jeffrey Knopf, Chair of the Program Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA; Dr. Mikhail Lysenko, Ph.D. in Law, Deputy Head of the Department of International Law at MGIMO University, Member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Ph.D. in Political Science, Professor of the Department of Applied Analysis of International Problems at MGIMO University, Academic Advisor of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), Founding Director of PIR Center.
The format of the state exam provided for answering two questions on WMD nonproliferation and nuclear security. The questions were divided into theoretical and practical ones. The purpose of the theoretical questions was to test students’ knowledge of the basic concepts, the matrix of all the issues under study. They covered the definition and evolution of the concept of strategic stability, the principles of operation of nuclear power plants and their role in the energy transition, the concept of the nuclear fuel cycle and the associated risks of nuclear proliferation. The second set of questions was practical, designed to test students’ understanding of both the global architecture of the nonproliferation regime (the history and current state of the NPT, the IAEA safeguards system, the TPNW and its prospects) and its regional aspects (the establishment of the AUKUS, the controversial Iranian nuclear program, the problem of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, the prospects of the WMD free zone in the Middle East, etc.). The challenge for students consisted in the open-ended format of the questions: their wording implied not just listing historical milestones, dates and document titles, but analyzing and forecasting trends in nuclear nonproliferation domain.
At the end of the state exam Dr. Vladimir Orlov noted: “I congratulate the students on passing the state exam. Today students from the USA, Russia, France and Italy have demonstrated to the State Examination Commission their true interest in the current problems of nuclear nonproliferation. I am grateful to all the members of the Commission for several hours of hard work this late evening, and I am especially grateful to our Chairman, H.E. Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, who is a profound expert on these issues”.
Students of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) had chosen a wide range of issues related to nuclear energy, nuclear nonproliferation regime, and nuclear safety as topics for their thesis research. For example, they studied Russian-Chinese cooperation in the field of nuclear industry, the coalition factor in the NPT review process, the prospects of the 11th NPT Review Conference and Russia’s approaches, the effectiveness of sanctions as an instrument of the nuclear nonproliferation regime on the example of Iran’s nuclear program, the problem of cybersecurity of nuclear facilities, space arms race, etc. During the defense, students made presentations outlining main highlights of their work, and answered questions from the members of the State Examination Commission.
“I am very pleased that seven students successfully completed the Dual Degree [M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies] this year. These students had to navigate a lot of difficult challenges in 2021-2023. The thesis they wrote covered a range of interesting topics, and in some cases their research showed the potential for cooperation to take place even in very unpromising circumstances. I believe these graduates are well-positioned for future professional success” — commented Professor Jeffrey Knopf, Chair of the Program Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA, on the results of the state examination procedure.
The period of study on the Program was indeed very intense for the students of the 6th cohort (2021-2023). Despite all the difficulties caused by the COVID pandemic, young professionals from Italy, Russia, USA, France attended a large number of highly specialized classes and studied general disciplines on the theory and history of international relations in MGIMO campus in Moscow. No less exciting for them was the educational process at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA.
In 2021, the students took part in extras curriculum activities organized by PIR Center, for example, lectures by Dr. Elena Chernenko, Special Correspondent of the Kommersant Daily, Member of PIR Center Executive Board and General Evgeny Buzhinsky, Chairman of PIR Center Executive Board; online conferences with Professor William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at Monterey; Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, President-designate of the 10th NPT Review Conference (1-26 August 2022); and H.E. Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. That same year, under the auspices of PIR Center, they met with H.E. Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister; H.E. Sergei Kislyak, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs; and in the fall of 2022 they had an informal lunch with H.E. Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United States, Ph.D. in Political Science.
The studies included a training component as well. In November 2021, the students participated in the III International Timerbaev Nuclear Debates to discuss country-specific challenges to the nonproliferation regime in the medium term. The main topic of the debate was the regional aspect of nonproliferation issues. In seeking an answer to the question “Does a country need nuclear weapons and should it try to obtain them?” the debaters demonstrated a high level of preparation and erudition.
Also students attended an informal trip to Zvenigorod in December 2021. Together with PIR Center junior researchers, they participated in a lecture by Dr. Vladimir Orlov on some aspects of the nuclear nonproliferation policy of the Russian Federation, summarized the preliminary results of the first semester of their study in Moscow and discussed some burning issues of the international agenda in a very cozy and friendly atmosphere.
Some female students of the cohort won the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, an initiative under the auspices of the IAEA to increase the number of women in the nuclear field by providing an inclusive educational environment. The winners received a scholarship to cover the costs of their graduate studies, as well as the opportunity to undertake an internship at the IAEA for up to 12 months.
“PIR Center is pleased to congratulate the students of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) on their graduation from the Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center). We are sure that these two years were really special for them, as well as for all of us, organizers of the educational process under the auspices of the Program. We all have done our best to make it memorable for them both through the main lectures and seminars, and through meetings with bright experts and major specialists in the subject matter, and through the experience and knowledge that our training events provided them with. We wish our dear graduates success in their professional development. PIR Center will always be happy and ready to provide them with all possible assistance”, — said Elena Karnaukhova, PIR Center Deputy Director-Education&Training Program.
The students also expressed their gratitude to their mentors, professors and Program organizers, noting the high level of knowledge and skills acquired and the broad perspectives provided by their education:
“The Dual Degree M.A. Program was a unique opportunity for me to get acquainted with such highly specialized disciplines and different approaches to the organization of the educational process. Although studying, working on the dissertation and the final exam were not easy, the knowledge gained allows me to be confident in my own capabilities. I am grateful to PIR Center, MGIMO University and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey for their consistent efforts to train a new generation of young professionals to promote balanced approaches to nonproliferation, arms control and peaceful uses of atomic energy”, — Alexandra Aladko, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
“In the convergence of ambition, dedication, and hopefully intellect, I embarked two years ago on a transformative journey with the Dual Degree Program on WMD nonproliferation, nuclear policy, and security between MIIS, MGIMO, and PIR Center. Through the crucible of challenge, I discovered the true essence of resilience and the boundless capacity of human potential. This extraordinary experience has molded me into bridging cultures, transcending borders, and unlocking the power of cooperation. As I reflect upon this remarkable odyssey, I am humbled by the immense privilege of learning from brilliant minds, engaging with a skilled cohort and forging lifelong connections. Together, we have unraveled the complexities of our global security landscape, the tapestry of uncertainty, and illuminating the path towards greater involvement”, — Océane Van Geluwe, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
“These past two years have probably been the most challenging and enriching of my life. I have experienced, learned and grown so much, thanks both to my professors and fellow students. My master’s thesis has contributed to that, allowing me to focus on space security alongside my coursework in nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation and policy. I am thankful to both of my advisors for their support in this, and I am proud and satisfied about my own ability to end this Dual Degree in the best way possible!”, — Rebecca Pantani, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
“The whole process of preparation for the finals was nerve-wracking since I had to demonstrate the knowledge and competencies gained through the two years of the program in front of the esteemed evaluation board chaired by no one else but the Russian Ambassador to the US H.E. Anatoly Antonov who we had met earlier in Monterey. The experts were strict and professional in their evaluation, and I enjoyed discussing with them the issues of international peace and security. My thesis was exactly about the current issues Russia faces within the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review process and nuclear nonproliferation overall, and I appreciate the feedback I got both from Russian and American experts”, — Galina Salnikova, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
“The International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation helped me find my way into the profession. Moreover, I built up my muscles as a researcher while the scientific advisors who were MIIS and MGIMO professors, added depth to my thesis and made it really relevant. Without waiting for the end of the Program, I started to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the Program, using them during my internship and when looking for a job”, — Daria Kheyrie, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
“It goes without saying that in these tense times, the human-to-human connections this Program creates have never been more necessary for our present circumstances — and critical to our collective future. Whether going on to roles in Monterey, Moscow, or anywhere in-between, students of this Program have walked away with not just two degrees, but more importantly, a deep appreciation for their international colleagues, professors, and mentors — and an exposure to diverse viewpoints that they would not have received in their own countries alone. Equipped with these experiences, these students (now turned young professionals) are well positioned to enter important roles guiding us to a better collective future. Поехали!” — Edward Kendall, graduate of the 6th cohort (2021-2023) of the Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).
