Academically Accomplished

They arrived at ICTP a year ago from 21 developing countries, eager to enrich their science skills and knowledge. On Friday 14 August, 34 Postgraduate Diploma Programme students celebrated the completion of their studies during a graduation ceremony held in the Centre's Budinich Lecture Hall.

Established in 1991, ICTP's Postgraduate Diploma Programme is a gateway for young people who might otherwise not have a chance to reach international-level standards in physics and mathematics. Its goal is to train students from developing countries so they can compete favourably for graduate studies in any centre of learning in the world.

The Programme consists of a rigorous, one-year, pre-doctoral course of study, with a small part devoted to independent projects. Areas of instruction include high-energy physics, condensed matter physics, mathematics, and Earth system physics. After completing the Diploma Programme, most students go on to PhD work in Europe or North America, with many returning to their native countries on completion of their studies. Others return to jobs as college teachers, or register for PhD programmes in their home countries.

Amongst the 34 graduates of the 2014-2015 class, five were singled out for outstanding work; they include:

• Alaa Elshorbagy (Egypt), who studied mathematics and has been accepted into the Joint ICTP-SISSA PhD Programme
• Deepak Karki (Nepal), who studied condensed matter physics and will be attending the Joint ICTP-SISSA PhD Programme
• Ui Ri Mun (D.R. Korea), and Carlos Guerrero (Colombia), who both studied high energy physics and who have been accepted into the Joint ICTP-SISSA PhD Programme
• Thanh Son Pham (Vietnam), who studied Earth system physics and has been admitted to the PhD programme at Australian National University

The graduates had high praise for ICTP, with many singling out the quality instruction as well as the modern facilities and the international network of researchers. Alaa Elshorbagy, who won the top student prize for mathematics, says, "I like the professors a lot; the way of teaching is such that they transfer the feeling behind the math. I never imagined I would learn so much mathematics in one year, I still feel like I need more time to have a deeper understanding of what I learned, but I really appreciate it, it is like a big jump."

Deepak Karki, the top student in condensed matter physics, has similar praise. "This is the perfect place to study. All the professors are very helpful--they can really motivate the students."

Rodrigo de Leon Ardon, a student from Guatemala, appreciates ICTP's supportive environment. "I have a desk to work at, and any resources I need are here. The only thing I have to do is study. If I have some doubts about a particular subject I just ask one of ICTP's world renowned professors. For me that is impressive," he says. Referring to the small monthly stipend that Diploma students receive, he laughs, "I even have money to drink coffee, which is fundamental for me!"

See photos of the ceremony on ICTP's Flickr account.