NITheCS and ICTP formalise ties

The Interim Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) has expressed gratification about the agreement that was recently signed by the Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).

The Interim Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) has expressed gratification about the agreement that was recently signed by the Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). The memorandum of agreement calls for joint research, education and visiting opportunities between the two bodies, as well as collaboration with the East African Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-EAIFR) that was created in Rwanda in 2018. ‘We are delighted to have signed this agreement,’ says Prof Francesco Petruccione, Interim Director of the NITheCS. He echoes the earlier statement by the ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar that ‘new scientific directions such as data science, machine learning or quantum computing rely on a solid foundation of strong basic science’ and also stresses the importance of the ICTP through its reputation as a world-class research institute combined with top-quality training and education programmes. ‘It is abundantly clear that collaboration and mutual support have become backbones of scientific progress. The tentacles of science stretch around the globe, and we are honoured to have the synergies between us and the ICTP formalised in an agreement.’ The formal agreement therefore does not only strengthen existing ties, but ‘builds new bridges between different parts of the world. For a sustainable future for the planet and humans to survive, we have to work together across all economic, social and political borders. In South Africa and Africa there is still much work to be done to unearth and support scientific talent among our peoples. Collaboration with a body such as the ICTP in pursuing the goals of global excellence in theoretical physics and computational sciences is of the utmost importance to us,’ Prof Petruccione adds. Prof Sandro Scandolo, Acting Senior Coordinator (Research & Partnerships) at the ICTP agrees with this sentiment and comments: ‘From astrophysics to climate modelling and materials design, research at the ICTP has pioneered the application of computational methods to tackle problems of practical relevance and has contributed to train thousands of scientists worldwide in this rapidly-developing discipline. The new agreement will make the NITheCS a cornerstone of ICTP’s global network of computational scientists and will boost research collaborations also within Africa.’ According to Prof George Thompson, Acting Senior Coordinator (Programmes and Advancement) at the ICTP, this agreement is a first step in the direction of a longer-term and firmer collaboration between South Africa, in particular the NITheCS, and the ICTP. It outlines the manner by which we will collaborate and ensures that both the strategic goals of South Africa and the mission of the ICTP are addressed.’ Importantly, Prof Thompson adds, ‘this includes the possibility of many more South African scientists taking part in the whole spectrum of ICTP programmes (research, education, training) on the one hand, while the ICTP, in partnering with the NITheCS, will be able to strengthen its own activities in Africa thanks to the level of research and commitment to outreach that South Africa has.’

The Interim Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) has expressed gratification about the agreement that was recently signed by the Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). The memorandum of agreement calls for joint research, education and visiting opportunities between the two bodies, as well as collaboration with the East African Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-EAIFR) that was created in Rwanda in 2018. ‘We are delighted to have signed this agreement,’ says Prof Francesco Petruccione, Interim Director of the NITheCS. He echoes the earlier statement by the ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar that ‘new scientific directions such as data science, machine learning or quantum computing rely on a solid foundation of strong basic science’ and also stresses the importance of the ICTP through its reputation as a world-class research institute combined with top-quality training and education programmes. ‘It is abundantly clear that collaboration and mutual support have become backbones of scientific progress. The tentacles of science stretch around the globe, and we are honoured to have the synergies between us and the ICTP formalised in an agreement.’ The formal agreement therefore does not only strengthen existing ties, but ‘builds new bridges between different parts of the world. For a sustainable future for the planet and humans to survive, we have to work together across all economic, social and political borders. In South Africa and Africa there is still much work to be done to unearth and support scientific talent among our peoples. Collaboration with a body such as the ICTP in pursuing the goals of global excellence in theoretical physics and computational sciences is of the utmost importance to us,’ Prof Petruccione adds. Prof Sandro Scandolo, Acting Senior Coordinator (Research & Partnerships) at the ICTP agrees with this sentiment and comments: ‘From astrophysics to climate modelling and materials design, research at the ICTP has pioneered the application of computational methods to tackle problems of practical relevance and has contributed to train thousands of scientists worldwide in this rapidly-developing discipline. The new agreement will make the NITheCS a cornerstone of ICTP’s global network of computational scientists and will boost research collaborations also within Africa.’ According to Prof George Thompson, Acting Senior Coordinator (Programmes and Advancement) at the ICTP, this agreement is a first step in the direction of a longer-term and firmer collaboration between South Africa, in particular the NITheCS, and the ICTP. It outlines the manner by which we will collaborate and ensures that both the strategic goals of South Africa and the mission of the ICTP are addressed.’ Importantly, Prof Thompson adds, ‘this includes the possibility of many more South African scientists taking part in the whole spectrum of ICTP programmes (research, education, training) on the one hand, while the ICTP, in partnering with the NITheCS, will be able to strengthen its own activities in Africa thanks to the level of research and commitment to outreach that South Africa has.’

The Interim Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) has expressed gratification about the agreement that was recently signed by the Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). The memorandum of agreement calls for joint research, education and visiting opportunities between the two bodies, as well as collaboration with the East African Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-EAIFR) that was created in Rwanda in 2018. ‘We are delighted to have signed this agreement,’ says Prof Francesco Petruccione, Interim Director of the NITheCS. He echoes the earlier statement by the ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar that ‘new scientific directions such as data science, machine learning or quantum computing rely on a solid foundation of strong basic science’ and also stresses the importance of the ICTP through its reputation as a world-class research institute combined with top-quality training and education programmes. ‘It is abundantly clear that collaboration and mutual support have become backbones of scientific progress. The tentacles of science stretch around the globe, and we are honoured to have the synergies between us and the ICTP formalised in an agreement.’ The formal agreement therefore does not only strengthen existing ties, but ‘builds new bridges between different parts of the world. For a sustainable future for the planet and humans to survive, we have to work together across all economic, social and political borders. In South Africa and Africa there is still much work to be done to unearth and support scientific talent among our peoples. Collaboration with a body such as the ICTP in pursuing the goals of global excellence in theoretical physics and computational sciences is of the utmost importance to us,’ Prof Petruccione adds. Prof Sandro Scandolo, Acting Senior Coordinator (Research & Partnerships) at the ICTP agrees with this sentiment and comments: ‘From astrophysics to climate modelling and materials design, research at the ICTP has pioneered the application of computational methods to tackle problems of practical relevance and has contributed to train thousands of scientists worldwide in this rapidly-developing discipline. The new agreement will make the NITheCS a cornerstone of ICTP’s global network of computational scientists and will boost research collaborations also within Africa.’ According to Prof George Thompson, Acting Senior Coordinator (Programmes and Advancement) at the ICTP, this agreement is a first step in the direction of a longer-term and firmer collaboration between South Africa, in particular the NITheCS, and the ICTP. It outlines the manner by which we will collaborate and ensures that both the strategic goals of South Africa and the mission of the ICTP are addressed.’ Importantly, Prof Thompson adds, ‘this includes the possibility of many more South African scientists taking part in the whole spectrum of ICTP programmes (research, education, training) on the one hand, while the ICTP, in partnering with the NITheCS, will be able to strengthen its own activities in Africa thanks to the level of research and commitment to outreach that South Africa has.’

The Interim Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) has expressed gratification about the agreement that was recently signed by the Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). The memorandum of agreement calls for joint research, education and visiting opportunities between the two bodies, as well as collaboration with the East African Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-EAIFR) that was created in Rwanda in 2018. ‘We are delighted to have signed this agreement,’ says Prof Francesco Petruccione, Interim Director of the NITheCS. He echoes the earlier statement by the ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar that ‘new scientific directions such as data science, machine learning or quantum computing rely on a solid foundation of strong basic science’ and also stresses the importance of the ICTP through its reputation as a world-class research institute combined with top-quality training and education programmes. ‘It is abundantly clear that collaboration and mutual support have become backbones of scientific progress. The tentacles of science stretch around the globe, and we are honoured to have the synergies between us and the ICTP formalised in an agreement.’

The formal agreement therefore does not only strengthen existing ties, but ‘builds new bridges between different parts of the world. For a sustainable future for the planet and humans to survive, we have to work together across all economic, social and political borders. In South Africa and Africa there is still much work to be done to unearth and support scientific talent among our peoples. Collaboration with a body such as the ICTP in pursuing the goals of global excellence in theoretical physics and computational sciences is of the utmost importance to us,’ Prof Petruccione adds. Prof Sandro Scandolo, Acting Senior Coordinator (Research & Partnerships) at the ICTP agrees with this sentiment and comments: ‘From astrophysics to climate modelling and materials design, research at the ICTP has pioneered the application of computational methods to tackle problems of practical relevance and has contributed to train thousands of scientists worldwide in this rapidly-developing discipline. The new agreement will make the NITheCS a cornerstone of ICTP’s global network of computational scientists and will boost research collaborations also within Africa.’

According to Prof George Thompson, Acting Senior Coordinator (Programmes and Advancement) at the ICTP, this agreement is a first step in the direction of a longer-term and firmer collaboration between South Africa, in particular the NITheCS, and the ICTP. It outlines the manner by which we will collaborate and ensures that both the strategic goals of South Africa and the mission of the ICTP are addressed.’ Importantly, Prof Thompson adds, ‘this includes the possibility of many more South African scientists taking part in the whole spectrum of ICTP programmes (research, education, training) on the one hand, while the ICTP, in partnering with the NITheCS, will be able to strengthen its own activities in Africa thanks to the level of research and commitment to outreach that South Africa has.’