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Scientists, local and national dignitaries, and representatives from some of the world's most prominent science institutions paid their respects to ICTP at a day-long celebration for its 60th anniversary. Participants from 38 countries crossing 5 continents united to honour the Centre's rich history and to contemplate scenarios for the future.
The event gave an opportunity for ICTP to not only showcase the ongoing relevance of its mission but also to share a glimpse of its future directions. As the day-long event of science panels and keynote speeches unfolded, some keys messages and themes emerged:
Looking towards ICTP in 2064
ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar unveiled ambitious plans in his keynote address, with a view to the eventual 100th anniversary of ICTP in 2064. "Our vision for ICTP's future must respond to new opportunities and realities while keeping true to the foundational inspiration from ICTP's founders Abdus Salam and Paolo Budinich," said Dabholkar.
Dabholkar's vision for the institute takes into account a delicate balancing act between the need to emphasize the unity of pure and applied science and the growing need to ensure equitable opportunities with new technologies. "The unique vision of ICTP has three foundational pillars. One is, of course, excellence at the frontiers of science. The second is global inclusion for scientific resources, and the third is international cooperation for science," he said.
Dabholkar emphasized the evolving role of ICTP in global science, highlighting the need to adapt its mission to address current challenges like equitable access to new technologies and tackling climate change. "The modern Scientific Method now has computation as an important new pillar. There is a growing knowledge divide when it comes to the use of modern algorithms or tools like GPUs, Artificial Intelligence or Quantum Computing. ICTP is obligated to find the means to make these critical resources for science globally available," he explained.
ICTP's strategic plan for the coming years focuses on enhancing public trust in science, ensuring global participation in technological revolutions, and fostering international scientific communities.
Regarding ICTP's role in addressing solutions for climate and energy, Dabholkar underlined the importance of a global approach to find solutions. "As a UN organization, ICTP has the mandate and convening power to hold multilateral, international meetings. Scientists need to overcome political barriers to collaborate with each other on global issues like climate change. At ICTP, they can do that." The goal, according to Dabholkar, is to help create strong scientific communities in the Global South well versed in modern tools and climate modelling. "This is an essential precondition for meaningful participation in decision-making of those most affected," he said.
The Centre has already taken steps in this direction through the launch of its International Consortium for Scientific Computing, a global partnership to encourage open science, including open access to computational resources, open codes for HPC, and open weights of AI algorithms. A proposed International Consortium for Future Earth would create an effective scientific climate response with meaningful participation of the Global South. To train the next generation of scientists who will tackle these global challenges, ICTP has proposed an international masters programme in partnership with Imperial College London and the United Nations University.
ICTP aims to expand its resources and partnerships and improve its campus infrastructure. Dabholkar outlined upgrades to ICTP's Library, and announced a major grant from the Simons Foundation International that will assist ICTP in purchasing and renovating its Adriatico guesthouse, transforming it into a Global Science Complex. Other resources are being sought to build a daycare centre at ICTP's Trieste campus.
Science Panels: "Physics is the queen of science"
Dabholkar's science themes were reflected and discussed during the three scientific panels that followed his keynote address. Moderated by science journalists, the panel sessions provided lively discussions about some of the most pressing global challenges, from equal access to scientific knowledge to balancing sustainability with growing energy needs, to convincing policymakers about the crucial importance of fundamental science.
Setting the stage for these discussions, and reflecting the core of ICTP's mission, the first panel focussed on how fundamental science is vital for the development of all societies, and the benefits of interdisciplinary research. Physics Nobel laureate David Gross and theoretical physicist Marc Mezard--both of whom are on ICTP's Scientific Council--along with United Nations University Rector Tshilidzi Marwala provided keen insights and often light-hearted opinions on both topics.
On the importance of places like ICTP that do fundamental research, Gross started the discussion by quipping, "As a physicist, we know that physics is the queen of science, which is why institutes of theoretical physics have had such a large impact, not just on physics but on all the sciences." He added, "Theoretical physicists love nothing better than to get together and talk, and argue, and collaborate and compete. Theorists and mathematicians thrive in this kind of interaction." Institutes like ICTP have proved that this model of bringing researchers together is an incredibly successful model, Gross said. But ICTP, unlike other theoretical physics institutes like Kavli or IAS, has had this other aspect to it, this international effort, which is unmatched anywhere else, he continued.
The international aspect of ICTP, combined with the range of fields represented by its research, creates an environment ripe for cross-fertilization of ideas. When asked to comment on this, Marc Mezard, a professor of theoretical physics at Università Bocconi, said, "I think the dynamics of scientific creativity is complicated; there are a lot of discoveries that come from the core of the disciplines, and there are others that come from the interactions between different fields. You have to combine these two." He continued, "Here at ICTP we have a model which works very well because of its relatively small size. It has a broad spectrum but also a strong unity. On top of that, it is a model with this incredible flux of people coming forth from various programmes."
The conversation turned to a potential collaborative role that UNU and ICTP can take to educate the next generation of scientists. "Education is changing, and we need to redefine what it actually means to be educated," said Tshilidzi Marwala. "I think the United Nations should be closer to universities and educational institutions, and this is what the UNU is trying to do. Why is that important? Knowledge has not yet been democratized. How much access to knowledge you get depends on where you are located. So the need for an international organization like the UNU to democratize knowledge becomes even more important," he said.
The Future of Computing and Quantum Sciences
The panel discussion on the Future of Scientific Computing and Quantum Science addressed the fundamental challenge of ensuring equal access to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and recent advances in quantum computing. These new technologies are influencing the scientific process in several fields. The uniqueness of ICTP's mission to promote scientific excellence and collaboration between scientists from around the world gives it a key role in ensuring that the needs of scientific communities in less developed regions of the world are taken into account and addressed.
Urbasi Sinha, who heads the Quantum Information and Computing Laboratory at the Raman Research Institute in India, started the conversation with an overview of the current status of quantum research in India. "It is being talked about a lot, especially in the context of India's vision for 2047, the year it will celebrate 100 years of independence. The idea is that they want to become a developed nation by 2047. Technology development at a high level is important, and quantum is an important part of this program. Current initiatives are encouraging a move towards a digital economy, where quantum security and quantum cryptography will be important. India recently launched a national quantum initiative, one of the few countries in the world to have a quantum strategy."
The conversation turned to a discussion on the intersection of AI and quantum physics in solving real-world problems. Panelist Estelle Inack, a graduate of ICTP's Postgraduate Diploma Programme who went on to earn a PhD, is applying her knowledge of theoretical physics to the field of finance. Inack, who is now a researcher with the Perimeter Institute, has created the startup company yiyaniQ, which uses a neural network to get faster and more accurate derivative pricing calculations, one of finance’s most difficult problems. "When I was doing my postdoc at Perimeter, we kind of combined this idea of stability and dealing with neural networks, and we created this method called variational classical and virtual quantum annealing. I saw the opportunity to actually solve real world problems; that's how we created my company. I decided to study finance," Inack explained.
From real-world applications, the audience heard about the role that major companies like IBM can play in international cooperation to ensure equal access to new technologies and knowledge.
Panelist Alessandro Curioni, Vice President of IBM Europe and Africa and Director of the IBM Research Lab in Zurich, sees equal access as an important result of ICTP's training mission combined with IBM's know-how. "We are talking today about AI and quantum computers, and these are going to be very powerful instruments that also the scientific community is going to use," he began, adding, "You could not have quantum computers without having quantum information theory and solid state physics, and you would not have these two things without quantum mechanics, and you would not have quantum mechanics without fundamental sciences. So, having institutions like ICTP that promote basic science, theory and physics is vital to push the next step and create these technologies that, if we do in the right way, are going to benefit science and society. IBM has used open access to share its developments in quantum computing, to push the scientific community to use it, in an attempt to further accelerate the development of the technology."
He concluded, "This is why IBM is working with ICTP, to ensure that this skill development education and scientific development is done in a proper way."
Inack is an exceptional example of how ICTP training and education can prepare a future generation of researchers who can adeptly work with and apply new technologies. "I would say ICTP has had a critical role in my career. Without ICTP I would not be where I am now," she said, highlighting the fully paid scholarship she received from ICTP, plus the Centre's excellent professors and its world-class research environment as being the key ingredients to her success. "An algorithm I developed in my Diploma is now being used in my start-up company to solve reward optimization problems. This speaks volumes on the impact that ICTP has had on me as a researcher and as an entrepreneur."
The discussion concluded with the question of how to make quantum knowledge and applications globally available, and what ICTP's role could be. Sinha highlighted the growing importance and geopolitical tensions surrounding quantum technology, with countries restricting exports. She emphasized ICTP's unique role in fostering international cooperation as a neutral ground for scientific dialogue, through which quantum science could be accessible globally despite geographical and sanction challenges. "I think this is the beauty of ICTP. We can actually have people from countries come in and discuss which otherwise may be not very possible, sitting in our individual locations. It's like the Geneva of science," she said.
Climate and Energy
Panellists for the session on Global Science for Climate and Energy represented a broad spectrum of stakeholders. On the climate policy side was Nana Ama Browne Klutse, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Ghana, and Vice-Chair of the IPCC’s Working Group I for the seventh assessment cycle. Adnan Shihab-Eldin shared his broad knowledge of energy systems as the former Acting Secretary General and Director of the Research Division of OPEC. Renewable energy was represented by Serdar Niyazi Sarıçiftçi, a professor of physical chemistry and solar energy expert at the Johannes Kepler University Linz.
Panellists were tasked with addressing the contradictions between the actions needed to reduce the carbon footprint and the current increase in energy consumption. Reducing fossil fuel consumption is increasingly urgent, but any realistic attempt to mitigate the impact of climate change must take into account our growing energy needs, especially in the Global South, where a large part of the population still lacks access to electricity.
Addressing the main challenges in creating and implementing policies that address climate change, Klutse first emphasized that, from a scientist’s viewpoint, there is an abundance of evidence showing that the climate is rapidly changing and that there is a need for urgent action. "The climate system is global, so one system or one process in one region affects the processes of climate in another region. We need to be concerned globally about the trends of events," she said. Klutse referred to the recent COP 29 meeting she had attended, where countries worked on agreements to cut emissions. "I believe that we have not been ambitious enough in these efforts, especially compared to the global efforts we had put together to fight the COVID 19 pandemic. We have the capacity to cut emissions as much as possible so that we don't get to the tipping point."
A possible pathway toward emissions reductions is to adopt decarbonisation strategies, but how does the globe do this when the world's energy needs are so high? Adnan Shihab-Eldin offered a possible solution: "The first thing we need to do, and everybody has recognized that, is the low lying fruit of energy efficiency technologies that have been tried and proven, especially in the North. That technology has to be shared more frequently with the South. Number two, we have to decarbonize using all possible low carbon energy systems. We need to take knowledge that we are not equal in terms of our capacity, in terms of what we did to the environment, and what we need to move forward. Developing countries will need a lot of energy in the future, and if we don't make that recognition, we will not be able to reach our targets."
According to Serdar Niyazi Sariftifci, many low-carbon energy technologies have been around for decades, but not well deployed. "The first solar heater panels have been on the market since 1890. It's one of the oldest technologies. And when I go to Africa and look around, I don't see any solar heaters on the roofs. The technology has been there for over 100 years, but people don't use it today. Combined with heat pumps, this would be the best, cheapest source of heat you can ever get in the South," he explained.
Sariftifci also highlighted the potential of solar-to-chemistry, or artificial photosynthesis, as another technology that has been around for decades but under-used. "Despite the technological readiness, deployment remains limited due to factors beyond technology and science," he said.
These low-carbon energy technologies are an important step toward net zero emissions; so is the urgent need for global cooperation in adhering to a carbon budget that could prevent global warming beyond 1.5 degrees. Eldin stated that humanity has already emitted 2500 gigatons of CO2, with developing countries facing significant challenges due to historical emissions from developed countries. "We need all kind of solutions ... in the new IPCC agreement, everybody is responsible, but there is differentiated responsibility. That's the same thing as the spirit of Salam here. The spirit of Salam is equity, but diversity."
Acknowledging ICTP's Roots
The day ended with a session honouring the spirit and leadership of ICTP's past directors as well as a first-hand account of the early days of the institute.
Salam family representative Aziza Rahman opened the session with a personal account of her father Abdus Salam's scientific voyage, his charisma and vision which eventually led to the establishment of ICTP. "This center, and the remarkable progress that it has made and is continuing to make, is a testament to this vision and to his belief that science is mankind's common heritage with a universal language, and all scientists, no matter their nationality or background, are entitled and deserve to have a place where they can come together to pursue -- as my father said himself, 'be re-energised in' -- their knowledge for the betterment of humanity," she said.
Salam's spirit lives on, especially in the steady and effective guidance of those Centre directors who have proceeded him. They include the late Miguel Virasoro, who led ICTP from 1995 to 2002, then Katepalli Sreenivasan, ICTP DIrector from 2003 to 2009, followed by Fernando Quevedo's directorship from 2009 to 2019. The latter two were honoured with ICTP 60th Anniversary Commemorative Awards.
The event ended with an informal, entertaining discussion between former ICTP acting Director Erio Tosatti and ICTP researcher Agnese Bissi, with Tosatti giving a first-hand account of the early years of ICTP, ICTP's most prominent research achievements, and important programme milestones.
