APCTP 30th Anniversary Special Lecture Series Successfully Concludes

- 26th Science in City Hall and APCTP Symposium Successfully Conclude -

The Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP), led by President Misao Sasaki, has successfully concluded a special lecture series featuring Nobel Laureate in Physics and Distinguished Professor Takaaki Kajita to mark the APCTP’s 30th anniversary. Held from July 15 to 16, the two-day series consisted of the 26th Science in City Hall, hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Pohang City, and the APCTP 30th Anniversary Special Lecture and Research Symposium, supported by the Lottery Fund.

Kajita delivered lectures on neutrinos and gravitational waves to approximately 350 high school students from Gyeongsangbuk-do and 150 basic science researchers from Korea and abroad. The approximately 500 participants learned about the research journey and latest findings of a world-renowned scientist and engaged with him directly through question-and-answer sessions.

The public lecture on July 15 was designed for aspiring scientists and engineers, helping students deepen their understanding of the universe and basic science while offering academic inspiration and opportunities to explore future career paths. During the question-and-answer session, students raised a wide range of questions. These covered scientific topics such as neutrinos and gravitational waves, as well as what inspired Kajita to become a scientist, his development as a researcher, and his advice on education and career paths for students hoping to pursue science.

On July 16, APCTP held a special lecture and symposium for researchers, providing a forum for global scholars to present their latest findings and engage in in-depth academic exchange. Kajita shared key achievements and future prospects in neutrino and gravitational-wave research conducted at the Kamioka Observatory in Japan. The symposium that followed featured presentations by researchers from Korea and abroad on recent advances in related fields, fostering active academic discussion.

Symposium speakers included Prof. Hyung Mok Lee of Seoul National University (KGWG), Prof. Byung-Soo Yang of Chonnam National University (CPNR), Dr. Gleb Oshanin of CNRS in France, Prof. Yingli Zhang of Tongji University in Shanghai, Dr. Patricio Salgado-Rebolledo of APCTP, and Dr. Sergei Nechaev of CNRS in France.

Reflecting on the public lecture held on July 15, Misao Sasaki, President of APCTP, said, “It was meaningful to share with young people the fundamental principles of the universe revealed through neutrino research by exploring the scientific journey of Nobel Laureate Prof. Kajita.”

Regarding the research symposium on July 16, Sasaki added, “To mark APCTP’s 30th anniversary, distinguished scholars and researchers from Korea and abroad gathered for in-depth academic exchange. We hope this event broadened the academic perspectives of participating researchers and opened new possibilities for research collaboration.”

The public lecture on July 15 was attended by Gyeongsangbuk-do Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Geum-hee Yang, Pohang Mayor Yong-sun Park, Pohang City Council Chair Cheol-su Kim, POSTECH President Seong-keun Kim, and other distinguished guests. They emphasized the importance of nurturing local scientific talent and advancing basic science while offering encouragement to the students.

The special lecture and symposium on July 16 featured global researchers, including Dr. Gleb Oshanin and Dr. Sergei Nechaev of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Prof. Hyung Mok Lee, former head of the Korean Gravitational-Wave Group, said, “I was pleased to have a forum for serious discussion on neutrinos and gravitational waves. It was such a meaningful occasion for exchanging diverse research findings and perspectives that even a full day felt too short.”

Established in 1996 on the occasion of the APEC meeting, APCTP is Korea’s only international center for theoretical physics. Based at POSTECH in Pohang, the Center works with 20 Member Countries/Regions and 39 Partner Institutes across the Asia-Pacific region.

With continued support from the Korean government’s Science and Technology Promotion Fund and Lottery Fund, APCTP has attracted and trained more than 300 outstanding early-career scientists as resident researchers. Through collaborative research and academic exchange in theoretical physics, the Center contributes to strengthening Korea’s capabilities in basic science. APCTP also promotes the public value of basic science through public lectures, participatory science festivals, and science outreach programs for young people.