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News from ICTP 84 - Monitor
Lojze Marincek, the Slovenian Minister for Science and Technology, recently visited ICTP to discuss ways to further strengthen the links between the Centre and Jozef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. Based on an earlier agreement with the Slovenian government, students enrolled in ICTP's Diploma Programme may receive a doctorate degree from the Jozef Stefan Institute. During his one-day visit, the Minister also met with officials from the University and other scientific institutions in Trieste.
About 400 high schools students from Trieste and the surrounding area participated in the second edition of "Physics Week," held the last week in March. The event was highlighted by a series of lectures and discussions delivered by ICTP and SISSA scientists and consultants. Among the topics discussed were quantum mechanics, fractals and complexity, earthquake forecasting and astrobiology. Students enjoyed a unique opportunity to learn about what's new in science from some of the area's leading researchers. ICTP scientists GianCarlo Ghirardi, Alessandro Vespignani, Giuliano Francesco Panza and Julian Chela-Flores all gave presentations. "Physics Week" was part of the eighth annual Settimana della cultura scientifica, a nationwide week-long celebration of science sponsored by the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific & Technological Research.
Following last year's successful painting competition, the ICTP has established a permanent display area for works of art on the Lower Level of the Adriatico Guesthouse adjacent to the Main Lecture Room. "The Centre's Art Gallery" was formally opened on 9 December in a ceremony hosted by ICTP Director Miguel Virasoro. The gallery's inaugural exhibition featured the work of Carmelo Vranich, a local artist whose paintings have been shown in galleries throughout Europe. About four exhibitions are expected to be organized each year. The latest show, sponsored by the Italian Parkinsonians' Association, examined the expanding role of art in therapy.
Gallieno Denardo, who retired last fall after heading ICTP's Office of External Activities for more than a decade, was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Cape Coast, in Ghana. Denardo received the honour for his efforts in helping to create and develop a laser laboratory for environmental applications in this African country. The laboratory is now an ICTP Affiliated Centre. This is the second honorary degree that Denardo has received. The first was awarded by the University of Pecs in Hungary last year.
The Council of the European Laboratory for Particles Physics (CERN), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has announced that Luciano Maiani has been elected CERN's next Director General. Maiani will assume office on 1 January 1999. He will replace Christopher Llewellyn-Smith, who will have completed his 5 year-term. Maiani is a distinguished physics professor at the University of Rome. Since 1993, he has served as President of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and, for the past year, he has been President of the CERN Council. Maiani has visited the ICTP on several different occasions and has worked closely with a number of Centre scientists. He also served on the selection panel for ICTP's current director.
David N. Schramm, one of the world's leading astrophysicists,
was killed on December 22, when the twin-engine plane he was piloting
crashed outside of Denver, Colorado. Schramm had visited the Centre
on two occasions: in 1988, he attended the Summer School in High
Energy Physics and Cosmology and, in 1993, he presented a lecture
at the Conference on Highlights of Particle and Condensed Matter
Physics. Schramm, 52, was Vice President for Research and Professor
of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago. He was best
known for his studies on the very early universe and his analyses
of the connections among particle physics, nuclear physics and
cosmology.
