ASP2026 IOC+LOC Meeting

Tuesday 31 Mar 2026, 12:55 → 14:15 UTC

Bobby Samir Acharya (Abdus Salam Int. Cent. Theor. Phys. (IT)), Christine Darve (European Spallation Source), Fernando Ferroni (Sapienza Universita e INFN, Roma I (IT)), Ketevi Adikle Assamagan (Brookhaven National Laboratory (US)), Mounia Laassiri (Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA))

video1150953971.mp4

Summary of meeting, the recording is available here:

1. The lOC has suggested some lecturers. We request that the LOC (Sister Mary) adds the names of the suggested lecturers directly to the common agenda.  We also request that the LOC sends us the email addresses of their suggested lecturers so that we may add them to the mailing list of lecturers.
2. We request the LOC to identify 2 speakers for the talks on MOnday July 6 on "Fundamental Physics research in Kenya" and "Applied Physics Research in Kenya".
3. The LOC mentioned a suggestion of lectures on cosmic rays. We have no room on the agenda and suggest to accommodate this request as a parallel session in the "Small Detector Labs" in the 2nd week.
4. The LOC raised 2 issues
   1. Accommodation for teachers. The option for the teachers journeying to the venue daily is inefficient and may lead to low turnout. 
   2. Interaction with the new management at the venue to facilitate progress on the logistics: we hope these interactions will improve in the future as the new management settles into its responsibility.
5. We discussed the possibility of moving the event back to the UoN but that option is feasible only if we can have the same rates at the CEMESTEA and also at Roussel House for lecturers.
6. A practical solution would be to keep the event at the CEMESTEA but raise funds for the teachers accommodation. 
7. CERN is willing to send someone to Kenya for the ASP Forum to talk about options for Kenya to engage with CERN.
8. Suggestions for the Forum agenda may be addressed to Mounia; she will share a draft agenda in due course.
9. Kenneth & Kenneth are planning a meeting on the teachers and learners program on April 8 at 13:00 UTC.
10. Our next meeting will be on April 14 at 13:00 UTC.

13:00 → 13:10 ASP2026 Student Applications – Pre-selected students

Selection status:

• 65 students selected for in-person participation (11 of whom are Kenyan)
• 67 students selected for online participation
• 26 students on the waiting list (12 of whom are Kenyan and are expected to be supported by Kenya; confirmation from the Kenyan authorities is pending)
• 40 students not selected

Current update on the Local students supports:

• Housing, ASP dinner, Excursions, ...

13:10 → 13:40 Scientific agendas

13:40 → 13:55 Logistics

13:55 → 14:05 ASP Form & ASP Dinner on July 10, 2026

ASP Form & ASP Dinner — venues and costs

14:05 → 14:15 Excursions on July 12, 2025