The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute” have agreed on joint implementation of socio-humanitarian projects. The agreement was signed on 11 June at a meeting of the Scientific Council of Kurchatov Institute. Scientific Leader of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions JINR RAS Academician Yuri Oganessian was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the NRC “Kurchatov Institute”.

At the solemn awarding ceremony, Yuri Tsolakovich received a diploma, a medal, and a mantle of an Honorary Doctor of Kurchatov Institute. Director of the Institute of Archaeology RAS, RAS Vice President Nikolay Makarov was also awarded the high title.

“It is not only a great honour for me but also a gift that brings me back to my youth,” Yuri Oganessian said. “65 years ago I first came to Kurchatov Institute as a MIPT graduate and was hired. Just like a baby in a font, I was plunged into the golden age of nuclear physics.”

The agreement signed at the meeting of the Scientific Council concerns the joint implementation of educational projects and programmes, festivals, and other events. Moreover, the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” and JINR enhance scientific interaction. One more cooperation area will be the formation of the scientific personnel reserve.

“Kurchatov Institute and Dubna have diverse scientific interaction. But in addition to this, we would like to develop our cooperation in the socio-humanitarian realm,” President of the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” Mikhail Kovalchuk noted in his speech. “It is important for us to preserve the cultural code, ensure continuity. We want to form a youth scientific elite that would speak to us the same language.”

JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov said, “It is wonderful that our outstanding scientist Yuri Tsolakovich Oganessian has been awarded a high title of Honorary Doctor of Kurchatov Institute. Kurchatov Institute sets high standards not only for science but also for culture, education, and everything the Institute is engaged in. It is important to note that we have been cooperating with this organization throughout all the years of JINR’s existence. By signing the agreement today, we have strengthened the scientific bridge and built the cultural one. We hope to launch a number of mutually reinforcing initiatives. For example, for the neutrino programme in which JINR, as an international centre, will be the coordinator of basic research and the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” will coordinate applied studies. Formats related to education and staff training are being actively discussed. In the frames of the synchrotron-neutron and mega-science programmes, we discuss joint development of centres for advanced accelerator technologies.”