Local Honours for ICTP Scientist

The President of the Province of Trieste, Maria Teresa Bassa Poropat, conferred the 'Sigillo della Provincia di Trieste' to ICTP scientist GianCarlo Ghirardi for research and teaching, for his commitment to the promotion and development of physics in Trieste and for his intense and fruitful activity as the author of popular books and scientific publications.

The ceremony took place at the Palazzo Galatti on Thursday 25 September.


Professor Ghirardi came to Trieste from Milan in 1963 and has contributed to the emergence of the "Trieste System" in his capacity as a theoretical physicist and philosopher of science. In describing Prof. Ghirardi's numerous publications, Poropat said, "Next to complex texts which have become milestones of research, Professor Ghirardi is engaged in works of wider dissemination that are careful to find interpretations that can bring even the least competent to physics."


"I am sincerely touched," said Professor Ghirardi. "I have received during my career many certificates of merit, but it is the first time for me and it is a great honor that such recognition comes from Trieste, who after fifty years I believe to be, to all intents and purposes, my city."

Professor Ghirardi has been associated with ICTP for many years, as a researcher, a professor, and as the head of its Associateships and Federation Scheme, which provides important opportunities for scientists from developing countries to visit Trieste and upgrade their research skills with other scientists from around the world.

A photo gallery of the event can be found here.