The 10th Joint Coordination Committee on cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research was held on 21-22 November 2011 at the RSA cyclotron laboratory iThemba LABS.

A JINR delegation was headed by JINR Vice-Director M.G. Itkis. The JINR delegation included Head of the JINR International Cooperation Department (ICD), Responsible for RSA-JINR cooperation D.V. Kamanin, VBLHEP Deputy Director A.S. Vodopianov, BLTP Deputy Director F. Simkovic, Dean of the Faculty of natural and engineering science of the “Dubna” University A.S.Denikin and ICD expert O. Matyukhina .

Major issue of the agenda of the meeting was a discussion of potentials of cooperation on the NICA/MPD project. The RSA side showed a great interest to this project and wished to participate in the project. A structure of a working group on the NICA/MPD project was approved and the group included representatives of the RSA side and the VBLHEP. Execution of NICA project orders by RSA industry companies and organizations is of interest to the South African side.

The committee directed special attention to educational. Milestones of the 5th practice for students from the RSA which was held in September 2011 in Dubna were totaled. The sides noticed with satisfaction a fast growth of interest among students and postgraduates in participation in research projects, which were being held in the frames of the practice. The committee supported the proposal to extend educational activity by organizing “sandwich programmes” which will be developed at JINR and the “Dubna” University with joint scientific supervising of the both sides.

Participants of the meeting noted that the meeting was held in productive atmosphere, decisions on important issues of JINR-RSA cooperation were taken.