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SANGSAD BHABAN, July 14, 2026 (BSS) - Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today said that some 1,336 Bangladeshi scientists, engineers and technicians have received international standard training to operate the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), as the country prepares to gradually take over the operation and maintenance of its first nuclear power facility.

"The training was conducted by the Russian general contractor both in the Russian Federation and at the training centre of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant," he told parliament in reply to a written question from treasury bench member Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3).

The minister said around 5,000 foreign experts and skilled workers are currently engaged in the implementation of the project.

He informed the House that a comprehensive international-standard training centre has been established under the general contract of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. 

The centre is now fully operational with a full-scale simulator and all necessary technical support equipment to provide hands-on training for plant personnel.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said Bangladeshi officials, engineers and technical personnel who are serving as trainers at the facility had received direct training in Russia. "They are now imparting training to the workforce assigned to the common plant facilities of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, who will be responsible for its operation and maintenance," he added.

He said the ongoing capacity-building initiative would gradually reduce the country's dependence on foreign experts and technical professionals in operating the nuclear power plant.

The minister also said nuclear engineering departments have been introduced at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), the University of Dhaka and several other universities across the country to develop skilled manpower for the nuclear sector.

He added that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is strengthening its institutional capacity so that it can eventually serve as the Technical Supporting Organization (TSO) for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.