Islamabad, June 25, 2024 – COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) hosted a two-member delegation of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) at its Islamabad Campus on June 25, 2024. The delegates comprised Dr. Luciano Musa, Project Leader ALICE, (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) CERN, alongside Dr. Luca Malgeri, Senior Researcher. They were also joined by Dr. Zafar Yasin, Director CERN Secretariat, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Dr. Altaf Ur Rahman, Director, CERN, Switzerland.

It was informed that since joining ALICE in 2008 and achieving full membership in 2012, COMSATS University Islamabad has been integral to advancing scientific research in collaboration with CERN. To revive and expand this partnership, the university leadership recently formed a specialized CERN Liaison Group. Heading this initiative Dr. Tahir Naeem, Director Planning, Development, and Human Resource Development (P, D and HRD), CUI was designated as Focal Person to manage all collaborative efforts and future programs with CERN.

Dr. Hammad Omer, Head, CUI International Office, Professor Dr. Muhammad Anis-ur-Rehman, Head Department of Physics, CUI, Dr. Uzma Tabassam, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, and Rubina Bhatti, Additional Director (P, D and HRD) were part of the CUI CERN Liaison Group.

The discussants focused on expanding collaboration across CUI's seven campuses, embracing various disciplines beyond Physics, while exploring diverse avenues, like faculty fellowships, research partnerships, and financial support for visiting students, joint projects, and PhD supervision as well as plans for interdisciplinary collaborations.

The CERN officials expressed strong endorsement for CUI's proposed initiatives and broadening collaborative efforts.