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Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian universities have officially established a CERN Baltic group to collaborate with the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). On Wednesday, May 29, CERN, Geneva, the universities of the Baltic States signed a Memorandum of Understanding that is unique in the history of CERN, as none of the region’s countries have yet been able to legally combine their efforts to coordinate their cooperation with the world’s leading particle physics research, innovation and scientific discovery center.
With the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding, the CERN Baltic Group has been formally established, which includes all the major regional universities – Riga Technical University (RTU), University of Latvia (UL), Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn University of Technology and University of Tartu.
RTU professor and CERN research assistant Toms Torims became the chairman of the CERN Baltic Group. The high level of the event was confirmed participation of CERN’s International Relations Director Charlotte Warakaulle at the signing of the memorandum.
“Creation of the CBG consortium is a signal both to CERN management as well as Baltic region politicians, that the regions research facilities are very much interested about cooperation with CERN. We see great potential in including beyond the science and research organizations also Baltic region industry as well as increase the interest of students in natural sciences. CBG is not created only to foster scientific collaboration, but also to foster innovation and develop industrial opportunities as well as standing for common political interests. This definitely will contribute to Estonian capabilities as a CERN full member to stand for its interests,” Mario Kadastik (National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Deputy director) says.
Lithuania has already acquired the status of CERN Associate Member, but Latvia and Estonia are on their way to it. In order to become Member States, the Baltic States need to develop high-energy physics research, and therefore the new CERN Baltic Group will develop an international Master’s and Doctoral program in Particle Physics and Accelerator Technology to enable Baltic students to acquire the knowledge they will need for cooperation with CERN.
This will be an internationally unique interdisciplinary program that combines basic and applied science – particle physics with accelerator technology. It is anticipated that students will accquire research expierience at CERN.
Original post by Riga Technical University
