Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics signs cooperation agreement with Israeli Committee for High Energy Physics

From HUJI.com: Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics signs cooperation agreement with Israeli Committee for High Energy Physics

The Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) signed a cooperation agreement yesterday with the Israeli Committee for High Energy Physics (ICHEP). The agreement specifies that the two organizations will work to advance research in the field of nuclear physics, through exchanges of researchers and advanced students, exchange of knowledge, development of joint projects and creation of new research tools.

The agreement was signed at the Hebrew University’s Israel Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) by INFN president Prof. Fernando Ferroni and ICHEP head Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici, who will be concluding his term as the head of the IAS at the end of the month.

Upon signing the agreement, Prof. Rabinovici said, ''We need to empower the detectives who seek to decipher the foundations of the universe, and I hope this agreement will assist in this endeavor.'' Prof. Ferroni said, ''We see great importance in working with Israel and its excellent researchers. This is one of the most significant things we will do together.''

The agreement was signed as part of the visit of Italian Minister of Education, Universities and Research Prof. Francesco Profumo at the Hebrew University. Profumo was accompanied by the Italian Ambassador to Israel H.E. Mr. Francesco Maria Talo, deputy president of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) Prof. Maria Cristina Messa, and other dignitaries from the Italian embassy to Israel and from academic institutes around Italy.

Hebrew University Vice President of Research and Development Prof. Shai Arkin said, ''The Hebrew University is located in a unique place. Jerusalem has many diverse communities — Orthodox Jews, Arabs and seculars — and our student body reflects this diversity. That’s why I always believed that the best way to achieve peace is through the language of science.''

Also present were Prof. Eilon Va'adia, head of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Research, and Prof. Danny Porath, head of the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Prof. Va'adia said, ''Israeli President Shimon Peres defined brain research as the new frontier. The better we understand the way the brain works, the more we'll be able to develop efficient and advanced treatments.'' Prof. Porath said, ''The Center for Nanoscience strives to build an environment that will allow the development of scientific excellence by investing in human capital and in equipment.''