ICTP has been conferred honorary citizenship of Trieste to recognise the Center's continuing efforts in advancing scientific expertise, especially in the developing world.
In a ceremony held at Trieste's city hall, the Mayor of Trieste, Roberto Cosolini, highlighted the importance of ICTP and said that it is thanks to the Centre and the foresight and tenacity of Abdus Salam and Paolo Budinich that the Trieste System of scientific institutions took shape, and ICTP has become "a source of pride for the whole city. "
Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, ICTP continues to offer exceptional opportunities in research and training to researchers and students coming from countries that often do not have access to cutting-edge research and education. Every year, the Centre welcomes nearly 6000 scientific visitors and organises important and relevant conferences, workshops and schools in the fields of mathematics and physics.
Over the past decades, the Centre has also been a model for the development of other scientific institutions in Trieste that have made the city a real "Science Park".
"This recognition by Trieste is an honour," said ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo, adding, "The city has given us not only infrastructure and institutional support, but also hospitality and friendship for the past fifty years. For this, ICTP is very grateful."