On 31 October 2025, a delegation from the Republic of South Africa visited the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research to discuss issues of strengthening cooperation between the scientific centres of South Africa and JINR, along with getting acquainted with the Institute’s research infrastructure.

The delegates represented the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation of South Africa (DSTI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the MINTEK research organization. The delegation was headed by DSTI Acting Chief Director for International Bilateral Cooperation Cecil Masoka.

The programme of the working visit started with an introduction to the scientific infrastructure of the Joint Institute. The delegation visited the site of the NICA Accelerator Complex at the Laboratory of High Energy Physics and the JINR Main Facilities interactive exhibition at the Mir Cultural Centre, where, among other things, the parties discussed the results and prospects of cooperation in educational activities and youth involvement in science.

The key event of the visit was a meeting at the Scientists’ Club with representatives of the Institute’s Directorate and laboratories. JINR was represented by Vice-Director Latchesar Kostov, Chief Scientific Secretary Sergey Nedelko, University Centre Director, South Africa–JINR Cooperation Coordinator Dmitry Kamanin, Director of the Laboratory of Radiation Biology Aleksander Bugay, Head of the International Cooperation Department Otilia-Ana Culicov, Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions Grzegorz Kaminski and Deputy Head for Scientific Work of the FLNR Centre of Applied Physics Alexander Nechaev.

On behalf of the delegation, Cecil Masoka stressed the interest of South African scientific organizations in expanding their partnership with JINR. Radiation biology, nuclear medicine, radiochemistry, accelerator technologies, and the training of highly qualified personnel were highlighted as promising areas for cooperation.

“We hope that in 2026, which marks an anniversary of both JINR and our partnership, we will be able to organize several high-level meetings between JINR scientists and South African specialists,” the DSTI representative noted. “The development of a long-term cooperation programme will create a solid foundation for scientific and technological collaboration at a qualitatively new level”.

Special attention was paid to the experience of South African specialists already working at JINR. A researcher at the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems Naomi Mokhine, a research intern at the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions Thembi Vilane, and an FLNR engineer Anuoluwa Makinde shared their impressions of participating in international research projects and spoke about the unique opportunities for professional growth at the Joint Institute.

At the end of the visit, the delegation visited the experimental building of the Superheavy Element Factory at the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions. The parties confirmed their mutual interest in developing a comprehensive cooperation programme and further strengthening scientific and technological ties.