BGU will take the lead in organizing events in Israel to mark UNESCO’s International Year of Light during 2015. The year recognizes the importance of light-based technologies and will be punctuated by a number of events for both the public and academic researchers.
BGU is the only Israeli university with an Electro-Optics Engineering Unit and recently won the tender for the NIS 175 million ($48m.) National Photonics and Electro-Optics Research Center with the Soreq Nuclear Research Center – NRC that will serve as a branch of BGU. The research center and Year of Light initiative are led by Prof. Gabby Sarusi from the Electro-Optics Engineering Unit.
“We were delighted to hear that two Nobel Prizes were awarded in 2014 for two important works in light, optics and photonics, the first in Physics awarded to three Japanese scientists for their discovery of the efficient blue light emitting diode (LED) and the second in Chemistry was awarded to Stefan Hell and his team for the invention of the superresolution fluorescence microscope which enables the imaging of single molecules with light. This once again reinforces the importance of light, optics and photonics to humanity. Israel was one of the sponsors of the resolution in the UN General Assembly in 2012,” said Prof. Ibrahim Abdulhalim, the head of the Electro-Optic Engineering Unit at BGU.
“BGU is proud to take the lead in the UNESCO Year of Light, reflecting our leadership position in the world of photonics research,” says BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi.
According to UNESCO, “light is at the origin of all life, it plays a central role in human activities, and has revolutionized society through medicine and communications, entertainment and culture. Light-based technology is a major economic driver with potential to revolutionize the 21st century [as electronics did in the 20th century]; the industry creates jobs and provides solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.”
”Light is also important to our appreciation of art, and optical technologies are essential in understanding and preserving cultural heritage. As light becomes a key cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century, it is essential that its importance is fully appreciated,” according to the UNESCO campaign, “It is equally vital that the brightest young minds from all areas of the world continue to be attracted to careers in this field.”
BGU will organize a series of events for the public and for scholars and professionals.
January
Southern Science and Physics Teacher Training Day also sponsored by The Ministry of Education
February
Light in Blindness at the Carasso Science Museum, a special exhibit and a Start-Up Competition for the best program to increase quality of life among blind people
March
Science Day for high school students and their families at BGU which will involve light and optics-related lectures and demos.
April
Light in Art, Culture and Society – International conference and exhibit of the role of light in art, culture and society.
May
Light and Optics for Homeland Security Applications – an open unclassified professional conference related to the role of light in the homeland security and defense applications. It will involve academic researchers, defense industries and IDF representatives.
June
Light in Science – An international conference focusing on different aspects of light in science and technology such as: optical communications, optics and photonics in medicine, optically remote sensing, and nano-photonics. During the conference there will be a session of research proposals emphasizing interdisciplinary research related to photonics. The president will grant a full year grant for the best proposal.
