On 29 March 2017, a JINR delegation headed by JINR Vice-Director R. Lednický took part in the seventh session of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt (ARE) and JINR which was held in the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) in Cairo. The session participants were welcomed by Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt Essam Khamisse. On the Egyptian side the JCC session was attended by President of the Academy Mahmoud Sakr, Director of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) Atef A. Abdel-Fattah, Head of the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority Samy Shaaban Ata-Allah Soliman, coordinators of cooperation Tarek Hussein and Hussein El-Samman. The JINR delegation included FLNP Director V.N. Shvetsov, UC Director S.Z. Pakuliak, Head of the JINR International Cooperation Department D.V. Kamanin and Secretary of the Committee Yu.N. Polyakova.

The President of the Academy in his opening speech said that the collaboration of Egypt and JINR is one of the most successful international projects in Egypt. During the an overview presentation of JINR made by R. Lednický, Deputy Minister Essam Khamisse expressed interest in details of organization and practical work of the Institute, its research areas and possibilities for expanding the cooperation, especially in the fields of hadron therapy and educational activities. In conclusion, Mr. Essam Khamisse assured the audience of the full support of the ARE-JINR partnership from the Ministry.

On 30 March, the JINR delegation visited the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, where the guests were acquainted with laboratories of the Agency, and sites of gamma-irradiation of materials. During the meeting of the delegation with the EAEA Director, there was a discussion of the possibility of using the expertise of JINR in the development of research capabilities of the Agency; that will be reflected in the road map drafting.

On the same day, a working meeting was held with a team of researchers of the recently constructed Egyptian Nanotechnology Center at the University of Cairo; coordinator of cooperation ARE-JINR Professor Tarek Hussein is the organizer and leader if the Center. The latest equipment of the Nanotechnology Center and an introducing into operation supercomputer were demonstrated to the guests. Intensification of contacts between ENC and colleagues from JINR is expected in the nearest future.

The work of the JCC resulted in the decision on formation of the roadmap of cooperation for three years, until the 10th anniversary of the participation of the Arab Republic of Egypt to JINR as an associate member, with the aim of achieving a qualitatively new level of cooperation. Members of the Committee considered a range of current issues, in particular measures to increase awareness of the scientific community of Egypt about the possibilities of JINR. It was decided to extend the funding of successful projects in 2017 and to announce a competition for new projects in 2017-2019. The Committee launched the preparation of the next stage of student practice; Starting this year, Egyptian students will be getting acquainted with JINR in September.