On 2 June 2026, Astana hosted the key event of the JINR Days in the Republic of Kazakhstan – an extended plenary meeting bringing together representatives of relevant governing bodies, international organizations, leading universities, and the academic community. Topping the agenda were the long-standing partnership’s progress, research infrastructure development, and the prospects for training highly qualified personnel.
Welcome speeches were addressed to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and the Astana Branch of the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP), both celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2026. Deputy Chair of the Agency for Atomic Energy Timur Zhantikin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Chair of the Committee on Social and Culture Development and Science of the Republic’s Senate Nurtore Zhussip, and First Vice-Minister of Education Maira Meldebekova addressed the participants on behalf of the governing bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the meeting participants heard official congratulations from Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva and Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek.
The wide variety of international participants and academic significance of the meeting were emphasised by the speeches of distinguished guests. Well-wishes were expressed by President of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency Masanori Koguchi, Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan (INP AS RUz) Ilkham Sadikov, and Director of the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute Chingiz Omarov. Speeches were delivered by rectors and representatives of the management of leading universities: Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Gumarbek Daukeyev Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, the National Research University of Artificial Intelligence, and the MEPhI University.
JINR Director, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Grigory Trubnikov delivered the first scientific talk, dedicated to the Joint Institute’s experience in organizing international research activities. The advancement of the national scientific infrastructure was commented on by General Director of the INP of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayabek Sakhiyev. His speech detailed the Astana Branch’s history: from the first beam launch to future technology development.
An awards ceremony took place at the plenary meeting. For their significant contribution to the growth of the atomic industry, science, and international cooperation, employees of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research received departmental awards from the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the second half of the event, leading JINR researchers made presentations on the history of creating the DC-60 Heavy Ion Cyclotron Complex in Astana, the prospects for experiments on superheavy element synthesis, and the application of optical spectroscopy methods in materials science.
Representatives of the Republic of Belarus spoke at the end of the meeting. Belarusian State University Professor Vladimir Uglov and Scientific Secretary of the Department of Physical and Technical Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Galina Melnikova shared the results of their radiation materials studies on the DC-60 Complex and advanced sensor technologies.
JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov summarised the meeting’s result in a concluding speech. He spoke with high regard of the 20-year history of the Astana INP Branch, calling it a powerful intellectual and high-tech scientific centre. The Academician expressed deep gratitude to the branch’s founding fathers– outstanding scientists and organizers of research activities in Kazakhstan, whose strategic decisions made it possible to create the unique research centre.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we congratulate the Astana Branch team on the remarkable anniversary!” Grigory Trubnikov congratulated the INP branch. “You have come a long way, and from what we saw in your scientific centre and heard in today’s talks, you have excellent prospects lying ahead. I wish you enough strength and energy to fulfil all your plans. Everyone who gathered in Astana is an ally standing by your side. Our presence signifies our support and willingness to remain involved in the development of the Institute of Nuclear Physics”.
In his speech, Grigory Trubnikov emphasised that Kazakhstan requires a science and technology programme of “tomorrow”. Alongside fundamental research, the Academician highlighted information technologies, radiation materials science, as well as the engineering of high-temperature superconductors and medical biosensors as prospective directions for future joint studies.
One of the key conditions for the implementation of such large-scale plans is the training of highly qualified personnel, especially in light of the adopted decision to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power station. In this regard, Grigory Trubnikov emphasised the particular importance of expanding educational programmes and close cooperation with relevant leading universities.
The Days of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Kazakhstan were a major scientific event for the country. The working meetings held between the JINR leadership and representatives of the highest governing bodies confirmed Kazakhstan’s great interest in advancing science and technology. The successful implementation of joint research projects and employee training programmes is intended to advance JINR–Kazakhstan collaboration.
