Formalising a decade of scientific collaboration

NRF-iThemba LABS recently renewed its research partnership with the University of Oslo (UiO), reaffirming a collaboration that has continued to grow since it was first established in 2017.

At a time when the world is facing increasing geopolitical uncertainty, this renewed agreement serves as a reminder that science is, at its core, a deeply human endeavour. Scientific progress depends on long-term relationships built on trust, shared knowledge, and a commitment to working together across borders.

This marks the second renewal of the partnership, highlighting the strength and longevity of the collaboration that has become one of NRF-iThemba LABS’ largest international collaborations in terms of the number of researchers and students involved. “The renewed agreement underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing scientific excellence, developing research capacity, and fostering opportunities for the next generation of scientists,” said Dr Rudolph Nchodu.

Prof. Sunniva Siem, leader of the Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre at the University of Oslo (UiO), together with Prof. Luna Pellegri of the University of the Witwatersrand and NRF-iThemba LABS, highlighted the significance of the renewed partnership before inviting PhD and MSc students to present their research projects—many of which will directly benefit from this collaboration.

The visit showcased the breadth of opportunities created by the partnership through discussions over lunch on new ideas for detector development and a tour of the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. By combining complementary facilities, expertise and research strengths, the collaboration between the two institutions will continue to drive innovation, train the next generation of scientists, and advance nuclear physics research for many years to come.