Despite being a newly established educational institution, the University of Cyprus pursues with the main goal of conquering ever higher cognitive horizons in the research of the structure and evolution of the Universe and the utilization of findings and innovative technology for solving human problems.
In this process, Professor of the University of Cyprus, founder and leader of the Team of the Laboratory of High Energy Physics, Scientific Representative at CERN and member of the European Commission RECFA, Panos Razis looks forward to all possible synergies with other Institutions in the field, presence of our country in international scientific events and to offer solutions in the fields of Research, Higher Education and Health.
During the recent visit of the Delegation of the European Commission "RECFA" (Restricted European Committee for Future Accelerators) to the University Campus on October 25, 2019 to attend the presentations of various scientists, we had the opportunity to meet in person with Mr. Razis for a further discussion.
Mr. Razi, could you explain to us what the European Commission RECFA is and the purpose of the visit to the University of Cyprus?
RECFA is a closed subcommittee of the ECFA (European Committee for Future Accelerators) that visits CERN member countries and acceding countries and records their progress in the fields of High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and Cosmology, and Cosmology. in a range of related application areas, such as Accelerators, Medical Physics, Magnetic Materials, Radioactive Isotopes, Dosimetry and Security, and Powerful Computer Networks. It also records the education systems, working conditions of researchers at all levels, scholarship systems and research funding levels in the above areas.
Cyprus has held the status of Associate Member (with full membership in CERN) since April 2016, after 30 years of successful presence of our Team in CERN experiments. It therefore had the contractual obligation to invite the RECFA Commission to study the work of the Cypriot scientific community and to submit its findings to the State for further actions that will assist the development in the above areas and the full integration of Cyprus in CERN.
What are the main objectives of ECFA and RECFA and how do they contribute to the development of scientific knowledge?
The main objectives of ECFA are:
(a) the long-term design of European facilities for conducting a substantial research project in High Energy Physics in the context of economies of scale and capabilities on an international basis.
(b) the balance between the roles of international and national research laboratories and between research and training in High Energy Physics.
(c) ensuring adequate research conditions with balanced management of the facilities concerned.
The RECFA Committee oversees the implementation of the above objectives and the European Strategy in all Member States. Obviously, the realization of these goals contributes substantially to the development of scientific knowledge in the above-mentioned areas and to the promotion of a wide range of applications for the solution of important problems of society. Among them, Medical Physics (diagnostic and therapeutic level), Computer Networks, Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence, New Materials, Education, etc. occupy a major position.
How does all this relate to CERN and what is your role in the CERN programs in which you participate?
CERN is the largest research laboratory in the world and the most specialized in the field of High Energy Physics, accelerators, cryogenics, state-of-the-art detection systems and computer networks, ie curated by ECFA and RECFA. The members of these Committees work in the research fields cultivated at CERN, so the correlation is direct.
As for my own role, since 1986 I have been conducting research at CERN with my colleagues, focusing mainly on the search for new physics and particles beyond the Standard Model. As a Scientific Delegate of Cyprus at CERN and a member of the European Committees ECFA and RECFA, I see my role today with greater responsibilities, aspiring to contribute to creating better conditions for the new generation of researchers: In Cyprus there is a critical shortage of researchers, emigration (brain drain), lack of infrastructure and scholarships with a satisfactory level of funding and other issues where we need to implement radical solutions. Things are not easy for a small country, but there are good ideas and the State must help us implement them.
At the same time, I am proud to be part of the European Commission RECFA and the international team of the European Strategy Group, which will soon decide on the new strategy that Europe will follow in Particle Physics, by building new accelerators that will cover the scientific research of new generations. researchers by 2080! Cyprus must be present in these important developments.
What are your scientific goals and expectations for the Cyprus-CERN Joint Committee which you served during the process of Cyprus' accession to CERN?
The establishment of the Cyprus-CERN Joint Committee was made as a practice to assist the smooth accession of our country to this international Organization. In this Committee I served from the position of President in our admission stage as an Associate Member and today as a Scientific Delegate at CERN.
The expectations of all members of the Commission are to increase the critical mass of researchers from Cyprus in the CERN scientific program, as well as the amount of the relevant fund. With more scientists of different specialties they will strengthen the fields of cooperation with CERN, as well as the range of applications that can be supported on a practical level. The goal is the greatest promotion of Cyprus in the international scientific development and the transfer of know-how in various fields beyond the High Energy Physics. These will give the opportunity to claim more jobs and hold Conferences, Meetings and Summer Schools in Cyprus, with all the possible benefits. With 1-2 conferences in Cyprus, some constructions of magnets by a Cypriot company and 6 employees at CERN, the costs of the annual subscription for 2019 have already been covered, so the dynamics in this sector is great.
Your final comment, Mr. Razi.
In addition to the experiments we carry out at CERN with excellent results, I consider it my obligation to offer in Medical Physics where there is a direct connection with High Energy Physics. My colleague Dr. Dimovasili and I have prepared a Business Plan for the installation of a Cyclotron in Cyprus, for the production of radioisotopes, and PET-CT for diagnostic purposes. We will soon talk about an important project for therapeutic purposes, using proton radiation for serious diseases such as cancer and degenerative diseases of the brain.
* By Nectarios Partasidis, Project Support Specialist - Press and Public Relations Office
Source: philenews