Latest News
Ukraine admitted as a new member of the IUPAP
The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) is pleased to announce that Ukraine has been admitted as a member of the Union, with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine as the Adhering Body. The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) is pleased to announce that Ukraine has been admitted as a member of the Union, with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine as the Adhering Body. The decision to admit the country with an accelerated procedure stems from the Union’s desire to send a strong signal of support to the war-torn country, a war that has not spared its scientific institutions and the people who work there.
“The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is very grateful for such support and solidarity and for joining IUPAP” said Prof. Anatoly Zagorodny, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. “At this difficult time for Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian people we are deeply touched by your strong support and condemnation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. I hope that the Memorandum of Understanding between IUPAP and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine will allow us to unite efforts in the field of pure and applied physics and will promote peace and progress.”
Zagorodny has agreed to address online the participants of the IUPAP Centennial Symposium to be held in Trieste from 11 to 13 July, during the opening of the meeting.
“On behalf of the IUPAP I would like to welcome Ukraine to the Union, and wish the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine a productive engagement with the Union for many years to come,” said Michel Spiro, President of IUPAP, adding, “I also would like to take this opportunity to wish the citizens of Ukraine a rapid return to peace and security in the country. IUPAP will endeavour to assist and support the plight of the scientists in Ukraine as best as we can. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people”.
“Ukraine is one of the most physics-productive nations in the world that has never been a member of the IUPAP”, said the Vice President for the Union’s Membership and Development, Prof. Nithaya Chetty, who is also Dean of Science at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. “I am delighted that we have now admitted Ukraine as the newest member of the Union, albeit under extremely difficult circumstances. The fleeing scholars need to be homed, at regional institutions and other institutions around the world, to continue with their productive work and to plan to return, hopefully soon, back to Ukraine to begin the arduous rebuilding effort.”
Open channels with Russian researchers if they uphold IUPAP principles
The Union’s firm and unequivocal support for Ukraine does not prevent the Union from continuing to respect the two principles that have guided it since the darkest days of the cold war, apartheid, and many other difficult political eras over the past 100 years. The first of these principles is to keep the channels of scientific cooperation open across all political and
other divides in the hope and expectation that enhanced scientific collaborations are an important means to develop improved understandings between different peoples that contribute to world peace. The second guiding principle pursued by IUPAP throughout its history is to express its concerns about any activity or intervention, including war, that impacts negatively on our ability to engage scientifically on a global scale.
IUPAP has published a clear statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine but does not intend to close the channels of communication with Russian scientists. It will be inappropriate for IUPAP to bar any scientist, especially from a member nation, from any scientific activity. So long as the work upholds the ethics and principles of science in its highest ideals, for example, does not contribute to weapons capabilities, IUPAP can see no reason to disallow Russian scientist participation in the affairs of the Union.
IUPAP resolution regarding international conferences
IUPAP, during the darkest days of the cold war, apartheid and many other difficult political eras over the past 100 years, has always been able to do two things with care and responsibility:
- Kept open the channels for scientific cooperation across all political and other divides in the hope and expectation that enhanced scientific collaborations are an important means to develop improved understandings between different peoples that contributes to world peace, and
- Expressed its concerns about any activity or intervention, including war, that impacts negatively on our ability to engage scientifically on a global scale and hence impacting negatively on (i) above.
IUPAP has issued its statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine (https://iupap.org/2022/03/01/iupap-statement-on-the-events-occurring-in-ukraine-2022-03-01/) in accordance with (ii) above.
It will be inappropriate for IUPAP to bar any scientist, especially from a member nation, from any scientific activity in accordance with (i) above. So long as the work upholds the ethics and principles of science in its highest ideals, for example, does not contribute to weapons capabilities, IUPAP can see no reason to disallow Russian scientist participation in the affairs of the Union.
Possible IUPAP Affiliation
Physicists, and scientists more generally including students, from any country around the world who feel excluded from participating in IUPAP-related conferences, workshops, meetings, etc, based on their affiliation, country of origin may formally apply to the IUPAP via the organizer of the IUPAP-related activity to use the IUPAP as their affiliation only for that specific activity. The applicant will need to sign a declaration that they are not actively supporting war and are committed to democratic principles for resolving disagreements and conflicts.
The IUPAP Executive Council
Latest Government COVID-19 Updates and Links
To keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 updates for Sydney and NSW, please click here to visit the Business Events Sydney website, which will be regularly updated with latest news and links.
Organising Committee Member, Dr Catherine Foley becomes Australia’s Chief Scientist
Photo caption: Image courtesy of CSIRO.
We are thrilled to congratulate Dr Cathy Foley on her appointment as Australia’s Chief Scientist!
Read more about Dr Foley’s achievements and influence in future areas of science research.
Ex-Google quantum chief joins Simmons’ silicon startup
Photo caption: Image courtesy of Innovation Aus. Michelle Simmons and John Martinis on Silicon Quantum Computing
Google’s former top quantum scientist John Martinis, who helped the tech giant achieve quantum supremacy, has joined Australian startup Silicon Quantum Computing, lending significant validation for its approach to the technology.
Professor Martinis has already travelled to Sydney, completed two weeks’ COVID quarantine and will start work on Wednesday with Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), a startup founded by 2018 Australian of the Year Professor Michelle Simmons, staying for at least the next six months.
Thinking small to change the world
Through a ground-breaking partnership with Microsoft and the University of Sydney, experimental physicist Professor David Reilly is working to build a quantum computer that could transform society in ways we can’t even imagine.
A Message from Prof. Michelle Simmons on ICPS 2022
ICPS COVID-19 Statement – 9 April 2020
Every two years we look forward to engaging with colleagues from around the world at the International Conference of Semiconductors.
Following the difficult circumstances related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and after a thorough evaluation of the emergency globally, the Organising Committee in consultation with IUPAP has made the tough decision to postpone ICPS 2020.
Although Australia has taken enhanced measures for the control of the spread of COVID-19, the Organising Committee are committed to ensuring that the health and safety of our delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and all stakeholders is prioritised over all matters.
This message is to let you know that we have agreement to run the Conference in 2 years time at the same venue, the International Convention Centre Sydney from Sunday 26 June – Friday 1 July 2022.
The engaging scientific program will be carried over to the new event dates, with the fantastic line-up of International and National speakers and social functions. We recognise all the hard work that so many of you have put into preparing your presentations and travel for ICPS 2020 and hope you will be able to join us in June 2022.
If you have registered for the Conference, or are a presenter, sponsor or exhibitor, we will be in contact to discuss options with you.
For options regarding your flights, please contact your travel provider.
Thank you for your understanding and support, and we hope to see you in Sydney in 2022. To obtain the latest information on COVID-19 please visit https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
We thank all our delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, The University of New South Wales, Business Events Sydney and NSW Government for their unwavering support.
For any queries please contact the Conference Managers via icps2020@arinex.com.au or see the Frequently Asked Questions here.
Scientia Professors;
Michelle Simmons and Sven Rogge
On behalf of the Local Organising Committee
Global semiconductor experts to connect with Sydney smarts
Photo caption: Image courtesy of Business Events Sydney. (L-R) Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, The Hon. Minister Adam Marshall MP, Lyn Lewis-Smith, Professor Sven Rogge.
Australian of the Year, Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, and her colleague and collaborator Professor Sven Rogge, have led a successful bid to bring the International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors (ICPS) to Sydney in August 2020.
Australia’s world leadership in the research of semiconductors – from quantum computing to advanced 2D materials and quantum electronics – played a key role in Sydney securing the event, which will see approximately 800 international experts in the field come together to shape the future of this exciting area of physics.
Announcing the win for the State, New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Tourism and Major Events, The Hon. Adam Marshall MP, said, “Sydney is home to many highly-respected, international thought leaders, innovators and researchers in this field. We welcome the opportunity to showcase our local expertise, and collaborate and learn from the international physics community. I’m excited to see results from the meeting of these great minds.”
This is the first time the flagship meeting has been held in Australia, and it will be a forum for the country’s scholars, researchers and specialists to interact with their global counterparts and discuss future research directions and technological advancements. Physics research is a pillar of Australia’s science sector, with more than A$6 billion spent annually on research programs.
Professors Simmons and Rogge worked in partnership with Business Events Sydney (BESydney) to win the bid. It was a highly-collaborative effort between UNSW, the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with support from the NSW Government.
“The world of tomorrow will be shaped by what we are discovering about semiconductors now, and their impact on quantum computing,” said BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith. “The innovations announced and the connections made at ICPS 2020 will touch multiple industries, and help to create a smarter, more resilient and liveable global society.”
Professor Simmons, Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at UNSW, and also a BESydney Ambassador, said that Australia’s strong academic community would benefit from hosting the world’s largest semiconductor conference.
“This is the premier meeting for reporting all aspects of semiconductor physics, including electronic, structural, optical, magnetic and transport properties. Every year it attracts the world’s most prominent researchers in these different areas and features presentations from over 50 leaders in the field.
“Hosting the event here in Australia also provides a wonderful opportunity for us to engage the community in semiconductor technology, and demonstrate how this area of science can have an impact on their lives and on Australia’s most valuable industries.”
ICPS 2020 will host Nobel Laureates Professor Donna Strickland of University of Waterloo, Professor Doctor Klaus von Klitzing of Max Planck Institute, and Professor Shuji Nakamura of University of California.
With the support of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the conference will also expose younger researchers and attendees from developing countries to the very latest thinking in the field.
The conference will be held at ICC Sydney, Australia’s premier and first fully-integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.
