ASP2026 Meeting

Tuesday 26 May 2026, 12:55 → 14:25 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))

video1389914380.mp4

Summary of meeting:

The recording is available here

1. Inputs from the LOC
   1. Booking at the recommended hotel. People who wish to stay at the recommended hotel are encouraged to contact the hotel and make their bookings. The hotel staff reserves the right to give away to other guests rooms that were reserved for ASP2026 but have not been booked. 
   2. Conference bags. Kétévi will contact Esmeralda, then discuss with the LOC.
2. Teachers program
   1. Prof. Kaduki mentioned that the program has gone thru some revision to ensure that teachers are all exposed to same things while scaling down on pedagogy.
3. Learners program
   
   1. Kenneth presented the learners program; it will include an ATLAS virtual visit. Martin is available to help arrange as well a CMS virtual visit.
   2. Considering the numbers of the learners per session, Janna suggested to review the program arrangement for efficiency.
4. ASP Forum
   1. Mounia presented the Forum agenda which is already matured; she is expecting confirmation on one talk.
   2. The LOC is awaiting confirmation from one Embassy personnel.
   3. The invited person from TSC has not replied and the LOC recommended to replace with KEBS.
   4. Swiss representative asked for a talk / panel discussion on Kenya-Switzerland research opportunities. Mounia will see if a talk can be accommodated.
   5. Ulrich raised the concern about the density of agenda, possible delays and running over time. The LOC should advise if the program can carry on should VIP not be present or late. 
   6. Prayer at the beginning / end of official events are the norm in Kenya.  Should anyone has concern, please let us know so that we discuss how to accommodate sensitivities. 
5. Students program
   1. There are 54 international students expected. Their air tickets are almost all finalized.
   2. We are preparing a table of the students' itineraries to be given to the LOC in June.
6. Lecturer's concerns
   1. We asked all lecturers to add their itineraries to the google doc.
   2. We asked people who are staying at the recommended hotel, to contact the hotel and secure their bookings before the hotel gives away the rooms to other people.
   3. The kits for the IoT have been sent to CEMESTEA. Uli will check with Kevin.
   4. The Ebola situation in the DRC and Uganda
      1. No case has been detected in Kenya.
      2. The Kenyan government has stepped up screening at all entries to the country.
      3. All the international students are coming to Kenya by air travel and will face screening on arrival.
      4. We will keep monitoring situation and inform everyone of any new development. Meanwhile, we suggest to continue planning and arranging travels. 

13:00 → 13:10 Input from the LOC

Speaker: Ms Mary Simiyu (University of Nairobi)

13:10 → 13:20 Status of the teachers program

Speaker: Kenneth Kaduki (University of Nairobi, Kenya)

13:20 → 13:30 Status of ASP Forum program

Speaker: Mounia Laassiri (Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA))

13:30 → 13:40 Status of learners program

Speaker: Kenneth William Cecire (University of Notre Dame (US))

13:40 → 13:50 Status of Students program

Speaker: Ketevi Adikle Assamagan (Brookhaven National Laboratory (US))

13:50 → 14:00 feedback from lecturers

14:00 → 14:10 AOB