INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON THEORETICAL PHYSICS

The First International Seminar on Theoretical Physics and National Development (ISOTPAND08) was held at the Merit House (Abuja, Nigeria) from August 25- 29, 2008. This first meeting was to pay tribute to Emeritus Professor Alexander Obiefoka Enukora Animalu who joined the prestigious ‘Age Club’ of three scores and ten on August 28, 2008, The event recorded a huge success because it was seen by all as an opportunity to give honour to who it was due.
The highlights included an overview by Professor Animalu of a compendium of research output in physics in the past four decades (1965-2005) from 36 Nigerian Universities founded before 1999 and the presentation of a biography of Professor Animalu written by G.E. Akpojotor and J. Unaegbu. This was followed by the technical sessions which were richly informative and motivational as they were a combination of both pedagogical and advanced contents to cut across all the participants made up of senior and junior researchers, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students. The proceedings of this event has been published in the AJP proceeding series and the online copy is available at:
http://sirius-c.ncat.edu/asn/ajp/allissue/ajp-ISOTPAND/index.html
The success of ISOTPAND08 motivated both the organizers (scientific committee) and the participants to reach the decision that ISOTPAND should become an annual event and should remain a forum for bringing senior researchers and eager beginners together. Therefore, ISOTPAND09 has been planned to meet this goal with participants expected from within and outside the country.
The Theme of ISOTPAND09 is:
MOBILIZING PHYSICAL SCIENCE-BASED ENTERPRISES
With Sub-Themes:
• Solar & Renewable Energy (R & D) & Technology Business Incubators;
• Condensed Matter and Materials Physics;
• World Year of Astronomy;
• Mathematical Sciences Education & Outreach.
1. Solar & Renewable Energy (R&D) & Technology Business Incubators.
o Solar & Renewable Energy R & D.
o Technology Business Incubators [Tribute to former HMST Dr. Laz Unaogu]
o Roundtable on Mobilizing Science-Based Enterprises for solar energy & water projects
2. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics:
o Superconductivity & Magnetism
o Quantum dots, Semiconductors & Nano Materials & Devices
o Computational & Experimental Physics
3. World Year of Astronomy:
o Cultural Astronomy, Space Science & Technology
o Nuclear & High Energy Physics
4. Mathematical Sciences Education & Outreach