OBC | How to improve fundamental research in developing countries: UNESCO diploma program in...

Dušan Repovš Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics

University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

dusan.repovs@guest.arnes.si | www.fmf.uni-lj.si/~repovs/

*January 29, 1926 – November 21, 1996

*Pakistani theoretical physicist

*Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the

electroweak unification of the electromagnetic and

weak forces

*notable achievements: electroweak theory, Pati-

Salam model, Magnetic photon, Vector meson, Grand

Unified Theory

*founded in 1964 by Abdus Salam

*Sponsored by tripartite agreement between Italy,

UNESCO and IAEA

*ICTP provides scientists from developing countries

with the continuing education and skills that they

need to enjoy long and productive careers

*1964 – founded

*1966 – first course on theoretical nuclear physics takes

place

*1970 – UNESCO joins IAEA as full partner

*1971 – Mathematics added to curriculum

*1975 – First course on physics of environment held

*1982 – Scientific Council creates ICTP Prize

*1982 - First course on biophysics held

*1987 – High temperature Superconductivity Laboratory

established

*1988- Salam proposes creation of ICS

*1991 – Diploma courses in High Energy Physics and

Condensed Matter Physics launched

*1992 - Diploma courses in Mathematics launched

*1996 – Salam dies

*2001 – New research activity in Statistical Physics and

Complex Systems established

*2007 – ICTP holds Africa Day

*More than 120,000 visits since 1970

*184 countries represented

*20% of ICTP visiting scientists are women

*Opportunity for talented young science students

from developing countries

*Goal is to bring best students from some of the least

developed countries and educate them so they can

then compete for admission to the graduate

programs in any university in the world

Specializations:

*High Energy Physics (1991)

*Condensed Matter Physics (1991)

*Mathematics (1992)

*Earth System Physics (2006)

*General Physics (2007)

I term:

*Topology

*Complex Analysis

*Real Analysis

*Differential Geometry

*Differential Equations and

Dynamical Systems

*Differential Geometry

tutorials

II term:

*Abstract Algebra

*Partial Differential

Equations

*Algebraic Topology

*Differential Equations and

Dynamical Systems II

*Ergodic Theory

*Algebraic Geometry

I term:

*Quantum Mechanics

*Mathematical Methods

*Mathematical Methods tutorials

*Classical Mechanics

*Advanced Electromagnetism

*Quantum Mechanics tutorials

II term:

*Statistical Mechanics

*Advanced Quantum

Mechanics

*Solid State Physics

*Physics of the Earth System

*Statistical Mechanics

tutorials

*Total number of students since the beginning of the

Programme = 662 from 1991-92 to 2010-11 (20 academic years)

*Students who obtained the diploma = 602

High Energy Physics (180)

30%

Condensed Matter Physics

(175) 29%

Mathematics (167) 28%

Earth System Physics (44)

7%

General Physics (36)

6%

Male (472) 78%

Female (130) 22%

Africa (260) 43%

Asia (237) 39%

South America

(42) 7%

Central America

(32) 5%

Oceania (16) 3% Europe (15)

3%

*PhDs obtained so far = 265

High Energy Physics (91)

34%

Condensed Matter Physics

(89) 34%

Mathematics (85) 32%