Management Education for the people from Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
(August 2006 - December 2007)

Introduction

This proposal aims to develop further the capability of engineers and scientists from the National Nuclear Centre (NNC) and the Park of Nuclear Technologies (Technopark) in Kurchatov, Kazakhstan to understand and use modern concepts in management. Both these organisations lack effective management training and education processes and, more important, have very limited funding to develop the training and education of their staff.

Objective of project:

To foster understanding of modern management techniques by encouraging staff in the National Nuclear Centre/Technopark, Kurchatov to take educational qualifications using distance learning. To reach that it is proposed to:

• fund thirteen staff from the National Nuclear Centre and four staff from the Technopark in Kurchatov to take the OU Certificate in Management course through the LINK centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan;
• fund eight members of staff from the National Nuclear Centre in Kurchatov to take the OU Diploma in Management course through the LINK Centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan;
• fund a short training course in strategic management for fifteen senior management people of the National Nuclear Centre and Technopark, Kurchatov delivered by the LINK Centre in Almaty.

Strategic Context

The purpose of this project is to enhance the skills of staff employed in the NNC and the Technopark, Kurchatov by supporting them in taking management qualifications. The proposed courses are the Certificate and Diploma in Management courses accredited by the Open University.
Those selected for these courses are already involved in projects supported by DTI or work at the strategic level in both Institutes.
In addition, a tailor made strategic management course for senior management of the NNC in Kurchatov is to be held.

Background

This project builds on the proposal approved by the Steering Group last year to fund distance learning courses provided by the LINK centre in Almaty. The emphasis in the previous proposal was on starting the Certificate course in Kurchatov through the LINK Centre in Almaty. The Certificate in Management course started last year and has proved highly successful; the NNC want to support and encourage more of their staff to study for the Certificate in Management. Some staff, who have already completed the Certificate course, wish to continue for a second year with the Diploma. This development is highly significant as it shows strong commitment to developing up to date skills in management as well as a desire on the part of staff to invest further effort in obtaining good quality qualifications in management. The Certificate course is made up of four modules called the Manager and Organisation; Manager and Personnel; Managing Finance and Information; and Marketing and Managing Quality.
The Diploma course comprises three blocks called Understanding Performance, Improving Performance, and Managing Projects and Change. Participants must also complete a project normally based in their workplace.

The Courses and Proposed Nominees

The LINK Centre in Almaty, set up in 2000, offers the Open University's Certificate in Management programme in four modules. It can be completed in about twelve months and all students are expected to finish the programme in fifteen months. The LINK Centre in Almaty, set up in 2000, offers the Open University's Certificate in Management programme in four modules. It can be completed in about twelve months and all students are expected to finish the programme in fifteen months. The NNC has nominated 13 staff to participate in the Certificate in Management course offered by LINK. All of the nominees are scientists or engineers working in the institute. In addition the Technopark has nominated four of its staff to participate in this course. The NNC has also nominated a group of eight staff to launch the Diploma course; these staff completed the Certificate course over the last year and have been recommended by tutors to proceed to the Diploma course. The NNC has nominated 13 staff to participate in the Certificate in Management course offered by LINK. All of the nominees are scientists or engineers working in the institute. In addition the Technopark has nominated four of its staff to participate in this course. The NNC has also nominated a group of eight staff to launch the Diploma course; these staff completed the Certificate course over the last year and have been recommended by tutors to proceed to the Diploma course.

Strategic Management Course

Following the success of the Certificate course in Kurchatov, senior management requested that CNCP organise a short course for them in strategic management based on some of the ideas covered in the Certificate course. The LINK Centre in Almaty was asked to prepare a proposal and has suggested that a six day course is offered for a group of senior managers (15 in all) from both the National Nuclear Centre and the Technopark. The course will comprise three days of formal input by the trainer and a three day case study exercise based on the NNC. The course is to be led by the Director of the LINK Centre in Almaty, Sultanbek Tultabaev. It will be held at the NNC's sanatorium at Borovoye near Astana and the NNC is prepared to contribute towards some of the costs of holding it.