At a formal ceremony this morning at TRIUMF, laboratory directors Dr. Nigel Lockyer and Dr. Dinesh Srivastava of the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) of Kolkata inked a new partnership agreement valued at $10.4 million for the advancement of isotopes and accelerators. The agreement, which builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions, will see resources as well as manpower exchanged as both facilities work to complete their respective next-generation rare-isotope facilities---ARIEL at TRIUMF and ANURIB at VECC.
During the ceremony, TRIUMF's Head of the Accelerator Division, Dr. Lia Merminga, highlighted the importance of this agreement in laying the foundations for success at both the ARIEL and ANURIB facilities inthe coming years. Dr. Alok Chakrabarti, VECC's Director of Accelerators, cheered on the partnership with TRIUMF as a demonstration of how countries working together can make a positive difference through technology.
Drs. Nigel Lockyer and Dinesh Srivastava, directors of the two laboratories, expressed pride in the five years of collaborative research and development that has taken place to lead to the new agreement..
Federal Minister of National Revenue, Kerry-Lynne Findlay praised TRIUMF for seeking international partnerships that will create jobs and economic activity for Canada. British Columbia International Trade Minister Teresa Wat echoed this sentiment, highlighting the key partnership with companies from British Columbia that willbe integral to the addendum.
The agreement involves the two laboratories and a number of Canadian companies. Richmond's PAVAC Industries, Inc. will be manufacturing the high-tech cryomodules using technology transferred from TRIUMF through AAPS, Inc., TRIUMF's non-profit commercialization partner.
A tour of the ISAC-II experimental hall including the VECC testing facilities for the accelerator and injector cryomodules followed the ceremony, coincident with a reception that featured Indian and Canadian treats.
--by Ariane Madden, TRIUMF Communications Assistant