An official signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Intent between the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and the Institute of Nuclear Physics, a state-owned enterprise of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy, took place in Dubna. The document confirms the parties' commitment to developing cooperation in the field of creating a high-intensity ultra-cold neutron source (HIUCN) based on the WWR-K research reactor.
JINR was represented at the meeting by Director Grigory Trubnikov, Director of the Laboratory of Neutron Physics Yegor Lychagin, Director of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions Sergey Sidorchuk, Head of the Department of International Cooperation Otilia-Ana Kulikov, Deputy Director of the Laboratory of Neutron Physics Bagdaulet Mukhametuly, and Deputy Scientific Secretary of the Laboratory of High Energy Physics Yerzhan Mukhamedzhanov.
The delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan included Sayabek Sakhiyev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan at JINR and Director General of the Institute of Nuclear Physics; Nurzhan Saduyev, Deputy Director General for Science; and Adilzhan Serikov, Head of the Strategy and Sustainability Department.
The memorandum sets forth the parties' intention to begin jointly developing the facility's concept, preparing the scientific program, and creating a project roadmap. The document also provides for the coordination of research and development efforts, the creation and modernization of specialized equipment, the exchange of technical expertise, and the participation of specialists from both organizations.
JINR expressed preliminary willingness to consider participation in the project through monetary and in-kind contributions, the total equivalent of which could amount to up to five million US dollars over five years, following approval of the project materials by the relevant committees and the Institute's Academic Council.
The meeting participants emphasized that the implementation of the project to establish the HIUCN will contribute to the development of a modern research infrastructure, expand fundamental and applied research capabilities, and further strengthen scientific and technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and JINR.
The signing of the Memorandum marked an important step in strengthening the partnership and demonstrates the parties' mutual interest in implementing major scientific and technological initiatives.
