SPIE joins in celebrating ICTP's 45 years of advancing science and the developing world

From left, SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs with researchers Milohum Mikesokpo Dzagli (University of Lome, Togo) and Lyubomir Stoychev (INFN) at the SPIE-supported lab at INFN, near ICTP. 

BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA and TRIESTE, Italy -- The ICTP (International Centre for Theoretical Physics) earlier this month celebrated its 45 years of advancing research and education in physics and mathematics, including programs to meet the needs of students and scientists in developing countries.

SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs was among representatives from partnering and supporting organizations joining in the celebration, themed "ICTP After 45: Science and Development for a Changing World." The event was held 8-10 November at the ICTP facility in Trieste.

In addition to its founding anniversary, ICTP noted the 25th anniversary of its Dirac Medal, which honors scientists for contributions to theoretical physics, and the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser.

SPIE supports a number of programs in conjunction with ICTP including the free journal access program eJDS, the annual Optics Winter College, and a laboratory pursuing novel research in spectroscopy with quantum cascade lasers, available to participants from developing nations. The lab is housed at the INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nuclear) and run in collaboration with the Institute for Nanoelectronics, Technische Universität München (TUM).

Anniversary celebration speakers included Giuseppe Pizza, Italy's Vice Minister for Education, University and Scientific Research, who emphasized the importance of science and technology to developing economies. He said that Italy should be proud of its role in providing 85% of the support to ICTP, which has successfully become a bridge between scientists in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and urged other countries to launch similar efforts.

In his remarks, Herwig Schopper, Chairman of the Scientific Board of the International Basic Program of UNESCO -- another major ICTP supporter -- also praised ALOP (Active Learning in Optics and Photonics), another collaborative program under the UNESCO umbrella. ALOP, a project for training teachers about science through hands-on training in optics, is also supported financially by SPIE. (Read more about ALOP and its founder, Minella Alarcon, at http://SPIE.org/x42219.xml.)

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 180,000 constituents from 168 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, and supports scholarships, grants, and other education programs around the world. See www.SPIE.org for information.

From left, ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo, Herwig Schopper of IBSP/UNESCO, and SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs.

SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs, at left, with Mario Bertolotti (Univ. degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza).

Visitors read a tribute to laser luminaries prepared by SPIE in honor of the 50th anniversary of the laser.

European Commission Scientific Officer Ronan Burgess (left) and Thomas Skordas, Head of Unit, INFSO-G5 Photonics of the European Commission, (right) with SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs.

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