On 7 September 2018, the 8th International training programme for decision-makers in science and international scientific cooperation «JINR Expertise for Member States and Partner Countries» (JEMS-8) was finished.

Specialists from Botswana, Bulgaria, Egypt, Italy, the South African Republic and Vietnam came to Dubna to get acquainted with the Institute. They learned about fundamental and applied research carried out in the JINR laboratories, international cooperation and educational opportunities, got acquainted with the JINR basic facilities. Participants of the training programme heard the lecture on the history of the Russian and Soviet atomic project and visited the sights of Dubna.

JEMS-8 was concluded by a round table at which participants shared their impressions and expressed their gratitude to the JINR Directorate and staff members of the JINR International Cooperation Department as organizers of the training programme. This visit deeply impressed participants from Botswana who came to Russia and JINR for the first time. “Fascinating opportunities are provided here, especially for young scientists”. The training programme allowed specialists from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology to establish contacts with colleagues from Vietnam.

Olya Stoilova (the Institute of Polymers of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) was in the Joint Institute for the first time: “Many thanks for the possibility to see the unique facilities. I will tell my young colleagues about all this.” Staff members of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology of Egypt said: “It was a wonderful week, and we express deep gratitude to the JINR Directorate from all our colleagues in the practice.”

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Nguyen Quang Liem (Hanoi, Vietnam) repeated his speech delivered at the round table to our Weekly Newspaper:

“The training programme is a good opportunity to gather representatives of the JINR Member States and other countries for acquaintance with the JINR infrastructure and its activities. It is also a wonderful opportunity to facilitate cooperation with the Joint Institute and other countries participating in JEMS. It was fascinating to get acquainted with the JINR laboratories, learn more about the history of the Soviet period, about Soviet physicists. All this is of crucial importance for me as far as it was the time of my youth. I deeply respect Soviet physicists and I am strongly impressed by all they have made for development of the atomic industry. It plays a significant role in mutual understanding and further development of cooperation.

JEMS provided an exciting opportunity to speak to famous physicists and specialists, to attend presentations at which something complicated is explained in a simple way. Moreover, I really liked presentations delivered by staff members of the JINR International Cooperation Department on the JINR infrastructure and the system of cooperation with other countries. I was interested in lectures on the history of Russia and the Soviet Nuclear project as well, because I am convinced that the contribution of Soviet physicists not only in the development of the nuclear industry but also in achieving peace in the world is very important. I believe that the Soviet Union and Russia played a significant role in it.

JEMS is a wonderful platform for establishing new contacts, and I firmly believe in great prospects for cooperation between JINR and Vietnam in various fields, especially in bringing up and educating the youth, training specialists. That is why I am totally satisfied with this visit and hope that further cooperation will be as fruitful as now.

Yesterday (6 September 2018, ed. note) General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam met with President V.V. Putin. A memorandum of understanding between the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam on construction of the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Vietnam was signed in the frames of this meeting. This megaproject will help to develop the nuclear industry, support nuclear research in Vietnam, increase cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian specialists, in particular, JINR staff members. Our Plenipotentiary Representative does a great job, the Vietnamese Academy of Sciences constantly cooperates with him and discusses candidates for sending them to work at JINR, joint projects that can be implemented are also considered. We hope that we will continue to consolidate our cooperation with JINR.”

Dr. Ralitsa Stanoeva (South-West University, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria): “I have worked in VBLHEP for six years jointly with professor Pavel Zarubin, and my husband has worked here as well, there was a nice atmosphere. Nowadays, my student works with professor Zarubin, so I think such warm relations will be preserved and deepened. Dubna has become the second home for me. I come here annually and see how it develops. It was interesting for me to participate in the JEMS training programme because I have never seen facilities of DLNP. Now, I have been acquainted with the opportunities provided by these facilities and I think that it will be possible to attract our students to other projects as well.”

Representatives of Vietnam signed a memorandum on the milestones of meeting with JINR Directorate held on the sidelines of the JEMS-8. Representatives of Botswana, who participated in JEMS-8, signed an agreement on development of cooperation between the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and JINR. All participants of JEMS-8 were given certificates and souvenirs.

Olga Tarantina, JINR Weekly Newspaper
Photos by Igor Lapenko, JINR Scientific Information Department