The University of Malta had the honour of welcoming Professor Nikolay Nikolaevich Sysoev for a brief visit recently. Professor Sysoev is the Dean of the Faculty of Physics at M.V. Lomonosev Moscow State University, where he has been working since 1972. This Faculty, established in 1850 is considered as a world class research centre and counts 8 Nobel prize winners in Physics among its professors and researchers. The Faculty has eight divisions offering top level education and scientific research in almost all fields of modern experimental and theoretical physics, from elementary particles and nanophysics to life sciences, geophysics and space research. The Faculty also offers courses in engineering physics and management of research and high technologies.
The visit of Prof. Sysoev was facilitated and supported by the Russian Center for Science and Culture and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Malta. During the course of the visit, meetings and discussions were held with the University of Malta’s Department of Physics, Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology. Major areas of interest considered for cooperation and that will be explored in greater detail include the possibility of joint research in electromagnetics, astrophysics and the co-development of space-borne observational instruments, since the Faculty of Physics at MSU has the capability of designing and constructing its own satellites. Student and staff exchanges were also actively discussed.
Professor Sysoev invited the University of Malta to send a team of academics to visit his Faculty in Moscow to discuss these and other prospects for collaboration.
Photo shows Prof. Sysoev with the Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, at the Valletta Campus surrounded by an academic group including Prof. Alfred Vella, Pro Rector for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Science, Prof. Charles V. Sammut and other colleagues