From 7 to 11 October 2024, JINR hosted the first “Introduction for the Plenipotentiaries’ Offices and Officials Responsible for Liaison with JINR” programme, which gathered representatives of the JINR Member States and Associate Members responsible for cooperation with the Institute.

During the five days, the participants got acquainted with the laboratories and the largest research facilities of the Institute through tours, listened to lectures by representatives of the offices and departments, participated in discussions and meetings with laboratory directors and heads of the national groups.

The main goal of the event was to provide representatives of the offices of the Plenipotentiary Representatives (PR) of the JINR Member States with the most complete information about the establishment and implementation of the Institute’s research policy, various aspects of its administrative and organizational activities, research and social infrastructure, educational programmes, and innovative projects. During the course, the participants visited the Laboratories of Nuclear Reactions, High Energy Physics, and Information Technologies. In addition, they visited Dubna State University, where Rector Andrey Denikin discussed the cooperation opportunities between the university and the JINR Member States in implementing joint personnel training programmes.

On the last day of the course, a round table with representatives of Institute’s leadership took place. JINR Vice-Director Latchesar Kostov stressed the importance and relevance of organizing this programme to optimise the cooperation of JINR’s Departments with the offices of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Member States. The guests reflected on their visit to the Institute. Mennatallah Elkotamy, International Cooperation Coordinator at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology of Egypt, responsible for liason with JINR from the Arab Republic of Egypt PR, noted that thanks to this programme, she is more determined than ever to focus all efforts on strengthening cooperation between Egypt and JINR. “We have a huge potential to prepare a new generation of researchers. Science is not an individual effort, but a joint mission that transcends national borders. This programme has inspired me as much as possible to help in making Egypt’s membership in JINR not just a matter of participation, but a means of active and meaningful cooperation,” Menna-t-allah El-Kotamy said. Advisor to the Directorate of the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems Anvar Inoyatov shared his thoughts on the programme as well: “In my opinion, the event achieved its goal. The face-to-face discussions contributed to a better understanding of Institute’s organizational structure and the details of how the administrative apparatus functions.”

Nine representatives of scientific centres of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Mongolia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan took part in the programme.