On December 10, 2015, in the NECSA (The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Ltd)  in Pretoria Deputy Director of the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics JINR Otilia Culicov and Chief of the FLNP Scientific Department Sergey Kulikov had a working meeting with Divisional Executive Dr. Motodi Maserumule and Senior Manager of the Radiation Science Department Gawie Nothnagel.

Opportunities of collaboration expansion on experiments on neutron beams, on development and research on small angle spectrometers and on educational programmes for JINR employees, were discussed. NECSA colleagues have expressed significant interest in continuation of work on neutron cold moderators, performed together with JINR. These work is being held in the frames of cooperation of teams of JINR and NESCA within the framework of the IAEA coordinated research project.

In Cape Town on December 10, 2015, the 1st BRICS Working Meeting on Astronomy was held. The JINR delegation headed by Grigory Trubnikov attended the workshop. The main objectives were to evaluate challenges and opportunities for collaboration, to outline the innovation strategies, policies and industrial development for astronomy in the BRICS countries.

Deputy Director-General for the International Cooperation and Resources of the Department of Science and Technology Dr. Daan du Toit highly appreciated cooperation between South African research organizations and JINR: “South Africa values its cooperation with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and as a strategic partnership, which has benefitted the country significantly, especially with regard to human capital development. The strong participation of the JINR in the Science Forum South Africa was therefore not only appropriate but deeply appreciated by the South African Department of Science and Technology. The Institute’s informative exhibit was one of the Exhibition’s highlights, and Dr. Trubnikov’s lecture at the Forum emphasized how essential international cooperation is to implement mega science projects, a domain in which JINR holds unique expertise. Furthermore, the JINR delegation to the first BRICS astronomy workshop and working group meeting also underlined the Institute’s important contribution to the BRICS science, technology and innovation partnership.”

Rob Adam, Chief Executive Officer of SKA (Square Kilometer Array) also have a very positive feedback on the results of our long term working relationship and made a stress that our experience will help to further develop the scientific cooperation and international partnership.