ICTP in China

ICTP has opened a new partner institute in Beijing, China, fostering the advancement of basic sciences in the Asia-Pacific region.

The new institute, the International Center for Theoretical Physics-Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP), is a joint initiative between ICTP and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS). Both partners see the new institute as a centre for top-level research, promoting scientific excellence throughout the region. The new institute will encourage the exchange of students and scientists, as well as the development of joint training and masters programmes.

A ceremony to officially inaugurate the centre took place on 4 November in Beijing; Wu Yue-Liang, Vice-President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, officiated the event on behalf of UCAS President Li Shushen. ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo represented the Centre; also present was Bai Chunli, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

From left: ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo, CAS President Bai Chunli, UNESCO ADG for Natural Sciences Flavia Schlegel, UCAS Vice President Wu Yue-Liang, and ICTP senior research scientist George Thompson at the ICTP-AP inauguration

"China's strong commitment to science makes it an ideal place to host a regional centre for theoretical physics," said Quevedo.  He added, "ICTP is pleased to have UCAS as a partner in this endeavor to expand research excellence and opportunities to scientists throughout the Asia-Pacific area."

ICTP-AP will be based at the UCAS campus in Beijing. It has been designated a UNESCO Category 2 institute, meaning that its mission will contribute to the overall achievement of UNESCO's science objectives. To that end, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Flavia Schlegel, also attended the ICTP-AP inauguration.

ICTP is the leading global institution with a dual mission of supporting excellent scientific research as well as building scientific capacity in developing countries. The creation of partner institutes throughout the developing world reinforces the centres' strong commitment to sustainable science by bringing ICTP's unique blend of high-quality physics and mathematics education and high-level science meetings closer to scientists everywhere. Other ICTP partner institutes include the ICTP-South American Institute for Fundamental Research in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the recently opened East African Institute for Fundamental Research in Kigali, Rwanda.