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MINSK, 18 July (BelTA) – Belarusian laser technologies will be used for research projects of the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network (ICRANet), BelTA learned from Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Sergei Kilin.

On 18 July Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov and ICRANet Director Remo Ruffini signed a cooperation agreement to the NASB-ICRANet partnership agreement of 6 September 2013. The new agreement provides for setting up an ICRANet international academic center in Minsk.

The new academic center will allow Belarusian scientists and specialists to take part in ICRANet events, use ICRANet’s equipment and resources. Apart from that, Belarusian scientists will be able to demonstrate their accomplishments, first of all, laser systems and instruments. Modern astrophysics experiments are impossible without optical and laser instruments. Belarus’ accomplishments in the area of optic technologies are known far and wide. Now Belarusian scientists will be given an opportunity to apply results of their research projects in addition to commercializing them, said Sergei Kilin.

The ICRANet center in Minsk will take care of experimental research in the sphere of relativistic astrophysics, gravitation and cosmology. The center will also train specialists and enable exchange programs for specialists. Tight cooperation will grant opportunities for taking part in new international programs to Belarusian scientists. They will be able to collaborate with foreign colleagues, will be able to win international grants, and enter into scientific personnel exchange programs with a number of ICRANet research centers in Europe and America, said the official.

The ICRANet research center in Minsk will also allow Belarus to use the European program IRAP PhD to train post-graduate students and enable student exchange programs involving top European universities. “Within the framework of educational programs we will work with ICRANet to arrange courses, seminars and conferences. A number of programs featuring mutual scientific visits will be arranged,” added Sergei Kilin.

ICRANet Director Remo Ruffini said: “Thanks to technological advancement today we can see vigorous development of experimental astrophysics and cosmology. Research in this field is a priority for the entire international scientific community on the whole. We are interested in expanding international scientific cooperation and are glad to interact with Belarusian scientists. You have a long-standing renowned scientific school. Belarusian research projects are well-known in the international scientific community. This is why the relevant proposal on cooperation was sent to Belarus.”

The International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network (ICRANet) is an international scientific organization founded in 2003. Its members include four countries, two universities, and one research center. Those are Armenia, Brazil, Italy, the Vatican, the University of Arizona (Tucson, USA), the Stanford University (Stanford, USA), and ICRA (Rome, Italy). ICRANet works hard to support international scientific cooperation. A number of research projects in the area of astrophysics, cosmology, theoretical and mathematical physics are planned with this in mind.