Activities
ICP News
Date: 17-10-2023
Governing Board Meeting of the International Centre of Physics (ICP) and the International Centre of Research and Postgraduate Training in Mathematics (ICRTM)
Based on the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Centre for Physics (ICP) and the International Centre for Research and Training in Mathematics (ICRTM)—both Category II Centres—were established and officially launched in October 2021.
ICP and ICRTM focus on three main areas of activity: (1) international-level training in physics and mathematics, (2) international-level research in physics and mathematics, and (3) providing consultation for policymakers, education experts, and raising public awareness in the fields of physics and mathematics. In terms of training, there are four main components: training and development of talents and high achievers; postgraduate-level training in physics and mathematics; postdoctoral training in physics and mathematics; and the development of training programs, selection procedures, management mechanisms, and financial support for international master’s and doctoral-level education in physics and mathematics through scientific research programs and projects.
Regarding research, the two Centres organize research groups and projects aimed at building strong research teams that meet regional and international standards, with particular attention given to the participation of international physicists and mathematicians. At the same time, they promote regional and international cooperation in physics and mathematics research (organizing international conferences; facilitating scientific exchanges within the region and internationally; developing and participating in regional and international research programs and projects, etc.).
Regarding research, the two Centres organize research groups and projects aimed at building strong research teams that meet regional and international standards, with particular attention given to the participation of international physicists and mathematicians. At the same time, they promote regional and international cooperation in physics and mathematics research (organizing international conferences; facilitating scientific exchanges within the region and internationally; developing and participating in regional and international research programs and projects, etc.).
Prof. Dinh Van Trung – Director of the ICP, and Prof. Pham Hoang Hiep – Director of the ICRTM, presented the operational plans of the two Centres at the meeting.
ICP and ICRTM are governed and supported by a Governing Board consisting of representatives from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; the Ministry of Science and Technology; the Institute of Physics/the Institute of Mathematics; the Executive Secretary (or representative) of UNESCO’s International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP); and the Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) or a representative nominated by the Director-General of UNESCO.
The Governing Board highly appreciated the activities of the two Centres since their official launch, particularly their efforts in organizing international-level training and research in physics and mathematics through courses, national and international conferences, and workshops. The Centres have also provided funding for scientific research projects conducted by outstanding young scientists, excellent PhD students, and promising young researchers from Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region. Beyond training and research, the two Centres have made significant efforts in public outreach in mathematics and physics through a variety of activities such as organizing public lectures by experts, celebrating International Day of Mathematics in line with UNESCO’s spirit, Vietnam Book Day, and Science and Technology Day. In addition, many other activities aimed at promoting scientific knowledge to the community have also been carried out, contributing to the diversification of the Centres’ operations.
In 2023 alone, the International Centre for Physics (ICP) successfully organized three international physics conferences, two international schools on theoretical physics and photonics, ten workshops on physics research and applications, fifteen projects for outstanding research groups, two projects for PhD students, and supported the training of one PhD student from Laos. The International Centre for Research and Training in Mathematics (ICRTM) successfully held three international mathematics conferences, three international schools, seven projects for outstanding research groups, seven projects for postdoctoral research teams, seven projects for PhD students, and three projects for young mathematicians. It also organized four major events: the International Day of Mathematics, Vietnam Science and Technology Day, the Open Science Day, and the Day for UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals. These activities have concretely realized the goals and commitments made by Vietnam and UNESCO in developing the ICP and ICRTM into international-level training and research centres in mathematics and physics; enhancing research capacity; supporting countries in the region in training and research in these fields; contributing to science and technology policy consultation; and sharing scientific and technological knowledge with the broader community.
Regarding the 2024 plan as well as the medium-term plan, the Governing Board agreed with the proposals put forward by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đinh Văn Trung – Director of the ICP, and Prof. Dr. Phạm Hoàng Hiệp – Director of the ICRTM. These proposals include: continuing to carry out international-level research and training activities in physics and mathematics through conferences, workshops, research projects, and short courses; continuing to support outstanding research groups and young talents; continuing to organize scientific events and public lectures for scientists, technicians, students, and pupils; supporting extracurricular activities; and providing advice to administrators, policymakers, and education specialists in related fields. Furthermore, the Centres will continue to promote international cooperation, particularly through diplomatic representatives and international organizations in Vietnam. The Governing Board also recommended that the two Centres strengthen collaboration among UNESCO Category 2 Centres (C2Cs), enhance joint research and training activities in line with United Nations initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Open Science, and increase public dissemination of emerging issues in science and technology. Strengthening cooperation within the ASEAN region was also emphasized by members of the Governing Board as a key focus of the 2024 and 2024–2028 activity plans.
The Governing Board highly appreciated the activities of the two Centres since their official launch, particularly their efforts in organizing international-level training and research in physics and mathematics through courses, national and international conferences, and workshops. The Centres have also provided funding for scientific research projects conducted by outstanding young scientists, excellent PhD students, and promising young researchers from Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region. Beyond training and research, the two Centres have made significant efforts in public outreach in mathematics and physics through a variety of activities such as organizing public lectures by experts, celebrating International Day of Mathematics in line with UNESCO’s spirit, Vietnam Book Day, and Science and Technology Day. In addition, many other activities aimed at promoting scientific knowledge to the community have also been carried out, contributing to the diversification of the Centres’ operations.
In 2023 alone, the International Centre for Physics (ICP) successfully organized three international physics conferences, two international schools on theoretical physics and photonics, ten workshops on physics research and applications, fifteen projects for outstanding research groups, two projects for PhD students, and supported the training of one PhD student from Laos. The International Centre for Research and Training in Mathematics (ICRTM) successfully held three international mathematics conferences, three international schools, seven projects for outstanding research groups, seven projects for postdoctoral research teams, seven projects for PhD students, and three projects for young mathematicians. It also organized four major events: the International Day of Mathematics, Vietnam Science and Technology Day, the Open Science Day, and the Day for UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals. These activities have concretely realized the goals and commitments made by Vietnam and UNESCO in developing the ICP and ICRTM into international-level training and research centres in mathematics and physics; enhancing research capacity; supporting countries in the region in training and research in these fields; contributing to science and technology policy consultation; and sharing scientific and technological knowledge with the broader community.
Regarding the 2024 plan as well as the medium-term plan, the Governing Board agreed with the proposals put forward by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đinh Văn Trung – Director of the ICP, and Prof. Dr. Phạm Hoàng Hiệp – Director of the ICRTM. These proposals include: continuing to carry out international-level research and training activities in physics and mathematics through conferences, workshops, research projects, and short courses; continuing to support outstanding research groups and young talents; continuing to organize scientific events and public lectures for scientists, technicians, students, and pupils; supporting extracurricular activities; and providing advice to administrators, policymakers, and education specialists in related fields. Furthermore, the Centres will continue to promote international cooperation, particularly through diplomatic representatives and international organizations in Vietnam. The Governing Board also recommended that the two Centres strengthen collaboration among UNESCO Category 2 Centres (C2Cs), enhance joint research and training activities in line with United Nations initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Open Science, and increase public dissemination of emerging issues in science and technology. Strengthening cooperation within the ASEAN region was also emphasized by members of the Governing Board as a key focus of the 2024 and 2024–2028 activity plans.