Workshop on the use of Open-Source Software and Satellite
Data in the Prevention of, and Response to, Disasters in
Mesoamerica
Status of MCTP
Arnulfo Zepeda
Coordinador General
CENTRO MESOAMERICANO DE
FISICA TEORICA
UNACH
19 – 23 May 2014, Tonantzintla, Puebla, México
Antecedents
• On December 20, 2011 the Autonomous University of Chiapas
(UNACH) and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the conditions
for the creation of a regional headquarters of ICTP.
• With the authorization of UNESCO, this new institute would be
named ICTP-UNACH-Mesoamerican Institute for Science (ICTPUNACH-MAIS).
• As a first step in the formation of the ICTP-UNACH-MAIS, on August
27, 2012, UNACH creates the UNACH Mesoamerican Center for
Theoretical Physics (MCTP).
• This center is a unit of UNACH with an internal structure as close as
possible to that of ICTP.
• MCTP’s strategic development areas are Physics, Mathematics,
Energy and Environment.
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BUILDING FOR BEGINING OPERATIONS
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
1. Scientific Objectives
The purpose of “the institute” is to promote the advance of basic
and applied sciences in countries of the Mesoamerican region
composed of Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico,
through education, research and application of knowledge. “The
Institute” will begin its activities in Physics, Mathematics, Energy
and Environment, and gradually it will increase its activities to
other scientific areas, depending of the research funding and
the regional needs.
“The institute” will be part of the System of Regional Centres for
Scientific Excellence, of which “the ICTP” will be the general
coordinator.
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING-2
2.- Government Structure of “the institute”.
2a. Steering Committee. The main government
authority of “the institute” will be its Sterring
Committee, that will be integrated by a UNACH
representative, an ICTP representative, a National
Council of Science and Technology representative,
and the representatives of the main sponsors.
The decisions of the Steering Committee will be
mandatory by the vote of the majority of its
members.
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING-5
c) Scientific Council. This Council will be integrated by up
to ten internationally recognized scientists, among them,
prominent scientists of the region. Its main activities will be
to analyze and say on the scientific program of the institute,
prepared and proposed by its Director, and on the
recruitment policies, on the composition of the permanent
staff and the group of postdocs, and to suggest new ideas for
the activities of “the institute”.
The Scientific Council will be appointed by the Steering
Committee, following a proposal of the Director of “the
institute” . The members will be appointed for a four year
period, renewable once. The appointment of a member for
the Scientific Council will be honorific.
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FIRST STEP: created on August 27, 2012
MCTP was created on the 27 of August of 2012 as an
academic unit of Unach
MCTP will transmute to ICTP-UNACH-MAIS
The main purpose of MCTP is to develop:
o teaching
o research
o and extension of basic and applied science in:
PHYSICS
MATHEMATICS
ENERGY
AND ENVIRONMENT
in the region of Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico
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Contributions of UNACH
• First part: For the first 5 years:
1) Funds for operating expenses of MCTP.
2) Salary of the Director and Deputy Director of MCTP.
3) 5 positions of Full Professor.
4) Salaries for the administration personnel.
5) Building and Furniture.
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0PENING CEREMONY
JUNE 14, 2013,
Presentation of the Development PlanInstallation of the Scientific and Advisory Councils.
Invited talks:
–Prof. Sheldon L. Glashow: A Parable of Pure and
the Practical. Why we Must Pursue Basic Scientific
Research.
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Advisory Council
The advisory Council is the top-level advisory body of MCTP and reports
directly to the Rector. At present it is integrated by
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Advisory Council 2
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Advisory Council 3
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Scientific Council
• The Scientific Council of MCTP is a board of opinion and
evaluation on scientific and academic matters.
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Scientific Council 2
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Scientific Council 3
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Programs
‣Research Associate Program
‣Program of schools and scientific meetings
‣Program of visiting scientists
‣Agreements on Academic Mobility and Exchange
‣Preparatory courses.
‣Diploma in Science
‣Postdoctoral positions program
‣Training and Research in Mexican Laboratories
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For graduate students
We will open a registration page for graduate students
wishing to take advantage of MCTP opportunities. They will
receive information about activities in which they could
participate. This includes MCTP courses, conferences or the
possibility of making a short stay to collaborate with an
associate or a professor of MCTP or to make an stay in a
Associate Laboratory, always with a well defined work
program.
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Visiting Scientist Program
In order to maintain an atmosphere of continuous
high academic level, MCTP will promote at all
times the presence of international researchers
and the interrelationship between all researchers
and students.
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Scientific Activities and Scientific Calendar
The MCTP organizes international conferences,
workshops, seminars and symposia.
Those interested in attending an activity must
complete an online form for the event.
There are travel grants available for conferences and
workshops in the MCTP for individuals in the
Mesoamerican region.
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Scientific Activities at MCTP
Some of the current and past activities are:
Weekly Research seminar on "Physics of extra dimensions“
Entrepreneurship Workshop for Scientists and Engineers
December 2-6, 2013. Organizers: AMITE, APS, ICTP, IOP, MCTP.
Meeting on Extra Dimensions November 20-22, 2013.
Organizers: MCTP.
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Scientific Activities 2
Workshop on the Use of Space Science and Technology
for the Prevention of and Response to Disasters in
Mesoamerica
November 19-22, 2013. At MCTP-UNACH. Tuxtla Gutierrez,
Chiapas, Mexico.
Organizers: The Regional Centre for Space Science Education
for Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC), the
Mesoamerican Centre for Theoretical Physics (MCTP), the
Association of Institutions for Fostering Mexican Space
Sciences (AIFOCEM). the Secure World Foundation (SWF), and
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
as cochair of the CEOS Working Group on Capacity Building
and Data Democracy (WGCapD)
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Scientific Activities 3
International Symposium on Micro-emulsions, foams, rheology,
Colloids and Interfaces in honor to Dominique Langevin Studies
in the experiments Pierre Auger, IceCube and HAWC
Thursday October 24, 212 -15 November, 2013.
Organizers: Universidad de Sonora, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de
Puebla, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, ANUIES,
Conacyt, Mesoamerican Centre for Theoretical Physics (MCTP).
Studies in the experiments Pierre Auger, IceCube and HAWC
October 24, 2013, at CEFyMAP. Speaker: Dr. Karen S. Caballero, Cinvestav .
The Higgs Boson and the Nobel Prize in Physics 2013
October 10, 2013, At CEFyMAP. Speaker: Dr. Gabriel Lopez, Cinvestav.
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Diploma in Science
• Initially there will be two diploma programs in the
areas of Physics and Mathematics.
• These programs are designed for university teachers,
and outstanding students with Bachelor degree in
physics or mathematics, from institutions in the region.
• Will aim to update university teachers and complement
the academic training of students by providing them
with adequate training for efficient development in high
level physics and mathematics postgraduate programs.
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Professor positions
UNACH has offered three professor position to
start in 2014. A call for application was opened
and widely announced. We received about 40
applications. A Review Committee analyzed the
applications. The final considerations of the
Review Committee were sent to the whole
Scientific Council for the final selection of 3
best candidates. The offer has already been
made to them and the process for their contract
in progress.
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Plan on Academic Staff in 2014
TYPE
2014
2015-2018
Permanent staff
5
15
Sabbatical stays
2
16 (4 per year)
Postdocs
0
16 (4 per year)
Guest researchers
10
10 per year One
month each
Associate researchers
40
40 per year One
month each
Visiting scientists
10
10 per year One
month each
About 13-15
simultaneously
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More immediate plans
• Preparatory courses, next week.
• Appointment of associates
• 2014 CONACYT suport
• Transition to ICTP-UNACH-MAIS
• Call for new Director of MCTP
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Propossed activities for 2014
X International Symposium on Radiation Physics (ISRP)
April 2 – 5, 2014ICTP-ICO-MCTP College on Optics and Energy
April 28 - May 9, 2014.
Escuela de Matematicas de America Latina y del Caribe
July 21 – August, 2014.
VI School on Cosmic Rays and Astrophysics
July 21 - 25, 2014. Postponed.
Curso: Fisica de Astroparticulas
August 18‐30, 2014
La Antigua en Guatemala
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