JEMS: a new outlook on JINR activities

On 2 - 6 March, the 28th International training programme for decision-makers in science and international scientific cooperation (JEMS) was held at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

The training programme was attended by the representatives of eight scientific and educational institutions and national departments: Vietnam - Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Technology (INST), the Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Ho Chi Minh City (CNT), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), Quy Nhon University (QNU); Mauritania - National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (ARSN); Turkey - TUBITAK Research Institute for Fundamental Sciences (TBAE). The representatives of national delegations learnt about the research programmes and the infrastructure of FLNP, MLIT, DLNP, LRB and BLTP.

On the final day, a round table was held with JINR Directorate, at which the results of the training programme were summed up and the invited specialists shared their impressions.

Opening the meeting, Director of the University Centre Dmitry Kamanin thanked the participants for their concern for the activities of the Institute and emphasized the value of feedback that in the future will allow transforming the experience gained in Dubna into joint projects.

JINR Chief Scientific Secretary Sergey Nedelko highlighted that interest in the international JEMS programme constantly increases not only among the Member States of the Joint Institute, but also from new Partner Countries. He focused on the fact that for successful long-term cooperation, it is necessary to understand the principles of the intergovernmental organization and the unique opportunities that it provides.

"JINR's goal is to ensure the most efficient use of research infrastructure facilities. It is really important for us to involve you and your colleagues in joint work on promising scientific projects," Sergey Nedelko addressed the JEMS-28 participants.

During the discussion of the results of the training programme, the representatives of Vietnam emphasized the high level of JINR research base. A senior lecturer at Quy Nhon University (QNU) Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Loan stated that the infrastructure of the Joint Institute is in no way inferior to the world's leading research centres. Separately, she pointed out the need to popularize physics among the younger generation and suggested more actively involving specialists from JINR to participate in conferences, scientific schools and other joint events with Vietnamese organizations.

Dean of the Faculty of Physics of Hanoi National Pedagogical University (HNUE) Do Dan Beat said that the visit to JINR allowed him to have a new outlook on the activities of the Institute. "For me, it was a discovery that in addition to theoretical and experimental nuclear physics, advanced applied research is also underway here, including materials science and nanotechnology," he said. "Our universities should send future physics teachers to internships in Dubna so that upon returning to Vietnam, they can furtherly motivate young people to choose a scientific career." In response, Dmitry Kamanin confirmed the readiness of JINR UC to support the initiatives of Member States and Partner States in the training of teaching staff.

Deputy Director of the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INST) Dr. Pham Ngoc Dong focused on the fact that access to JINR infrastructure will allow Vietnamese scientists to make an efficient transition from theoretical research to fundamental physical experiments. In turn, Deputy Director of the Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Ho Chi Minh City (CNT) Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Zui outlined promising areas for cooperation with the Joint Institute, highlighting nanomaterial science and semiconductor technologies.

An employee of the National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (ARSN), a representative of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) Mohamed Lemgamboje spoke about the prospects for cooperation with Mauritania. He identified two priority vectors for the development of scientific and educational cooperation with JINR: nuclear medicine and information technologies. Mohamed Lemgamboje assured that he would substantively discuss these issues with Directorate of Mauritanian universities.

At the end of the round table, a ceremony of awarding the participants certificates of completion of the 28th International Training Programme JEMS was held.