Tunisia hosted from the 3rd to the 7th of February 2020 the 1st edition of the School of Plasma and Fusion Physics in the MENA region – MPFuS2020. This important scientific event was organized by the CEA Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission, through its Regional Operational Representation (RRO) and its Research Institute on Magnetic Fusion (IRFM), the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and the National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN).
More than fifty scientists, between professors, researchers, doctoral students or Masters students from Morocco, Mauritania, Lebanon and Tunisia made the trip to Hammamet to follow this training.
The opening ceremony took place on Monday, February 3rd, with the presence of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr Hatem Ben Salem.
In his speech, Ben Salem reiterated the support of his Ministry for this initiative which represents a new type of cooperation and transfer of skills to future generations. The minister welcomed the creation of the CEA Regional Operational Representation in Tunisia and noted its contribution to scientific research in Tunisia and in the rest of the MENA region.
Plasma and fusion physics represent a very important research axis in the development of alternative and clean energies and science of the future.
In his address, Nidhal OUERFELLI, former Minister and High Representative of the CEA Administrator for Africa and the Middle East thanked the Tunisian authorities, in particular the MESRS and the CNSTN for their active partnership in this initiative which opens the way to new forms of cooperation based on an exchange of scientific knowledge and skills. He reiterated CEA’s desire to strengthen its collaboration with the countries of the region for the training and support of researchers and academics, especially young generations, to embark on the path of innovation and sustainable development. As such, he called on the organizers to work to make this school an annual event in the MENA region and offers the opportunity for more researchers to follow this certification training which allows them to develop their skills and participate in efforts.
The Tunisian Association of Nuclear Sciences and Techniques (ATSTN) also participated in this event and its president Mr Khaled DEBBABI presented to the participants the various activities of ATSTN to support the Tunisian national nuclear program.
The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) was also represented by Mrs Dorra LAJNEF, Head of Division within the Research and Innovation Direction who presented the STEG nuclear project and the progress of studies.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Debbabi Khaled President of ATSTN and Professor at POLYTECH University)
