Activities
ICP News
Date: 07-05-2024
Promoting the Development of the International Centre of Physics (ICP) and the International Centre of Research and Postgraduate Training in Mathematics (ICRTM) under the auspices of UNESCO
On the afternoon of May 3, the Steering Committee of the two UNESCO Category II Centers – the International Centre of Physics (ICP) and the International Centre of Research and Postgraduate Training in Mathematics (ICRTM) – held a hybrid meeting at the headquarters of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). The meeting was chaired by Dr. Le Quynh Lien, Head of the International Cooperation Department at VAST and Chair of the Steering Committee, to discuss the upcoming activities of the two centers.
Overview of the meeting
Meeting Overview
Based on the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ICP and ICRTM – both Category II Centers – were established under the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Mathematics of VAST, officially launched in October 2021. The Steering Committee includes:
Based on the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ICP and ICRTM – both Category II Centers – were established under the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Mathematics of VAST, officially launched in October 2021. The Steering Committee includes:
- Dr. Le Quynh Lien, Head of the International Cooperation Department, VAST
- Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology
- Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Director of the Division of Science Policy and Basic Sciences, UNESCO
- Prof. Atish Dabholkar, Director of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
- Prof. Nguyen Dai Hung, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Physics and ICP Steering Committee member
- Prof. Phung Ho Hai, Institute of Mathematics and ICRTM Steering Committee member
Delegates discuss the Procedure for Renewing the Agreement for Establishing a Category II Center
under the Patronage of UNESCO
Discussion Points
During the meeting, the Steering Committee and representatives discussed the renewal process of the international agreement establishing the Category II Centers (ICP and ICRTM), based on the UNESCO Strategy for Category II Centers (adopted in 2019), and reviewed the activities of the centers during the 2020–2023 period. The Steering Committee agreed to support the renewal of the agreement and emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the timelines and evaluation procedures set by UNESCO for Category II Centers.
Achievements and Impact
The Committee highly appreciated the achievements of both centers since their launch.
During the meeting, the Steering Committee and representatives discussed the renewal process of the international agreement establishing the Category II Centers (ICP and ICRTM), based on the UNESCO Strategy for Category II Centers (adopted in 2019), and reviewed the activities of the centers during the 2020–2023 period. The Steering Committee agreed to support the renewal of the agreement and emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the timelines and evaluation procedures set by UNESCO for Category II Centers.
Achievements and Impact
The Committee highly appreciated the achievements of both centers since their launch.
- ICRTM has made significant contributions in mathematics and sustainable development. From 2020 to the present, it has organized over 20 major events, attracted about 2,000 in-person attendees, over 300,000 online views, and generated 100 media reports. These events focused on raising public awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as quality education, gender equality, climate change adaptation, knowledge dissemination, and access to clean energy.
- ICP has also recorded notable results in training, research, and international cooperation in physics. It has organized 5 major international conferences, 10 domestic workshops, 1 international school, and co-organized 3 additional workshops/schools; conducted 12 research projects; hosted more than 20 inbound delegations and 3 outbound missions; contributed to promoting UNESCO's spirit of sustainable development through events like Vietnam Science and Technology Day and gender balance policies
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong - Director of ICRTM and Dr. Do Hoang Tung – Deputy
Director of ICP reported at the meeting.
Future Directions
The leadership of ICP and ICRTM welcomed feedback from UNESCO representatives, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and ICTP on the centers' reports and future plans. Both centers will continue to pursue the goals outlined in the Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and UNESCO. This includes:
The leadership of ICP and ICRTM welcomed feedback from UNESCO representatives, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and ICTP on the centers' reports and future plans. Both centers will continue to pursue the goals outlined in the Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and UNESCO. This includes:
- Expanding training and scientific research activities
- Strengthening international cooperation
- Promoting the 17 UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals