ICTP and the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening scientific collaboration between the two institutes.

SESAME, located at Allan, Jordan, is the Middle East’s first major international research centre. Its mission—to build scientific capacity and contribute to economic development in the Middle East, the Mediterranean region and surrounding areas by enabling a wide range of excellent applied science, and to build bridges between different peoples through scientific and technical collaboration—will be boosted by the implementation of the MoU.

The MoU implementation can allow for “joint and collaborative activities that contribute to the missions of ICTP and SESAME.” It is expected that the activities will include developing and organising research and training programmes and scientific events taking advantage of the existing schools and training programmes at ICTP.

The MoU was signed on 20 July at the SESAME council meeting in Istanbul.

Bottom, from left: Professor Sir Christopher Llewellyn-Smith, President Council SESAME; Professor Julio M. Montalvao e Silva, President Instituto Tecnologico e Nuclear, Portugal; Professor Albin Wrulich, Chair Technical Commiittee SESAME, also representing Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) Switzerland; Dr. Claudio Tuniz, Assistant Director ICTP. Top, from left: Dr. Hafeez R. Hoorani, Scientific Director SESAME; Professor Khaled Toukan, Director of SESAME, Dr Amor Nadji, Technical Director of SESAME;  Dr. Mohamed Yasser Khalil, Administrative Director of SESAME.