KBSU and the South African iThemba LABS laboratory plan collaboration

KBSU is expanding its international scientific ties. After joining the ARIADNA collaboration as part of the NICA megascience project in Dubna, the university agreed to a partnership with the National Research Foundation of South Africa. Acting Rector of KBSU Yuri Altudov will soon visit South Africa to sign the memorandum.

KBSU will partner with iThemba Laboratory (iThemba LABS), the largest multidisciplinary research center in the Southern Hemisphere, whose work focuses on accelerator technology, nuclear physics, and the production of radioisotopes for medicine. The idea for this collaboration arose after Dr. Ntombizonke Keswa (iThemba LABS) visited KBSU for an international conference in the summer of 2025.

The agreement provides for several forms of partnership:

– joint research in nuclear physics, radiobiology, accelerator technologies, and radioisotope production;

– student, graduate student, and staff exchanges for internships and practical training;

– seminars and conferences;

– joint use of scientific equipment.

Of particular interest are the intersecting research areas: for example, KBSU specialists have significant research expertise in perovskites for solar energy, while their South African colleagues are working on creating environmentally friendly solar cells from sugarcane waste. Scientists from both countries will be able to combine their efforts in promising areas.

The new agreement will strengthen KBSU’s position in the international scientific community and provide students and scientists with access to a unique laboratory facility in South Africa.

The signing of the memorandum is scheduled for November-December 2025, following the completion of all necessary approvals.