Spirit of Abdus Salam Award

After a moving tribute to ICTP founder Abdus Salam by his friends and collaborators, it was only fitting that ICTP honour the long-time staff members who are recipients of the Spirit of Abdus Salam Award. The award instituted by the family of Abdus Salam recognises scientists and non-scientists alike who have demonstrated a tireless dedication to Abdus Salam's humanitarian passion and vision for the cooperation, promotion and development of science and technology in the developing world. The award consists of a certificate and a cash amount of Euro 1000.

Three long-time ICTP staff members Andre-Marie Hamende, Anne Gatti, and Pierre Agbedjro were recipients of the inaugural award. Dr. Hamende, a nuclear engineer from Belgium, was present at the very inception of ICTP and served as the Centre's Senior Administrative and Scientific Information Officer from 1964 to 1990. Gatti often described as "a pillar of ICTP", began working at ICTP in 1983 as administrative assistant to Abdus Salam and has provided crucial support to every director since then. Agbedjro has been ICTP's official driver since 1985, and has been providing efficient and faithful service to the Centre's thousands of visitors.

"The three recipients of this inaugural award have each in their own way demonstrated an enduring commitment to do what they could to support Abdus Salam and his noble aims." said Ahmad Salam, the Nobel Laureate's son. "We, the Salam family, are delighted and honoured to recognize Andre, Anne and Pierre as truly worthy of the Spirit of Salam prize. I know how much my father loved and valued each of them; without them ICTP would not be what it is today," said Salam.

Abdus Salam is primarily remembered for his scientific work, but his family wishes him to also be remembered for his humility of spirit and humanitarian passion and zeal which ultimately led to the creation of ICTP and TWAS.