The 26th General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) was held in Tsukuba, Japan during October 15-17, 2008. There were two representatives from India at the General Assembly, namely Dr. Pratibha Jolly (Chair, Commission C14 and member of IUPAP Council) and Prof. M. Barma (Chair of IUPAP National Committee, India).
The items that came up for discussion included:
- Welcoming new member countries to the IUPAP, namely Algeria, Cameroon, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Greece, Mongolia, Philippines, Peru, Romania, and Singapore.
- Increasing the number of shares of some countries. In particular, Indian shares have increased from 4 to 8.
- Increasing the sizes of Commissions, from 13 to 14 to accommodate new members.
- A resolution regarding redefinition of the kilo, the ampere, the kelvin and the mole.
- A statement regarding the Universality of science
- A resolution on Importance of Active Learning and Hands-on Physics Education
- A resolution on the setting up of SESAME, a synchrotron facility in Jordan for the use of scientists from many countries in the region.
- A proposal for instituting the Young Scientist Prize in Physics Education.
One of the principal items at the meeting was the election of members to the Commissions and Council. Indian physicists now have a presence in 11 Commissions, namely C2- Commission on Symbols, Units, Nomenclature, Atomic Masses & Fundamental Constants (SUNAMCO); C3-Commission on Statistical Physics; C4-Commission on Cosmic Rays; C6-Commission on Biological Physics; C11-Commission on Particles and Fields; C12-Commission on Nuclear Physics; C14-Commission on Physics Education; C15-Commission on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics; C16-Commission on Plasma Physics; C17-Quantum Electronics; and C19-Commission on Astrophysics. This includes 2 Chairs and 2 Vice Chairs. Also there is a Vice president at Large in the Executive Council from India.
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