Ad Astra has been awarded a Sigma Xi - Packard International Science Networking Initiative grant
Ad Astra, an association of Romanian scientists, has been recently awarded a Sigma Xi - Packard International Science Networking Initiative grant that will be used to continue and extend its activities: specifically, maintain and expand its databases; continue publishing the Ad Astra Journal; and carry on its activities of informing the Romanian research community of the relevant developments on the international science scene. Part of the grant will be allocated to organizing an workshop dedicated to strengthening the networking abilities of the Ad Astra in Romania with the main goal of proposing solutions for the main problems encountered by the reform of the Romanian research and education system. In 1999, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society received a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for a pilot program designed to facilitate interaction between scientists in developing countries and research colleagues around the world. This initiative allows Sigma Xi to utilize its interdisciplinary nature and chapter structure to increase and sustain scientific networking within developing countries as well as internationally (see details about the program at http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/international/packard.shtml(öffnet in neuem Fenster)) The award will also fund Ad Astras association with Sigma Xi as an International Partner. Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is a non-profit membership society of nearly 75,000 scientists and engineers who were elected to the Society because of their research achievements or potential. Over the years, the society has counted nearly 200 Nobel laureates among its members. Sigma Xi has more than 500 chapters at universities and colleges, government laboratories and industry research centers. In addition to publishing the American Scientist magazine, Sigma Xi awards grants annually to promising young researchers, holds forums on critical issues at the intersection of science and society and sponsors a variety of programs supporting honor in science and engineering, science education, science policy and the public understanding of science. Visit Sigma Xi site at http://www.sigmaxi.org(öffnet in neuem Fenster) for more information about this organization. Ad Astra members will benefit of several the advantages derived from this partnership:,- The association and its members may nominate and be nominated for the Society's prizes and awards, such as the Young Investigator Award, the William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement, and the John P. McGovern Science and Society Award. ,- The association may nominate members for the honor of Sigma Xi membership by sending their nominations to Sigma Xi Administrative Headquarters for review.,- Members can access the online version of the American Scientist magazine and the members-only part of the Sigma Xi web site.,- Individuals can subscribe to the "Science in the News" free daily e-mail digest of science stories appearing in the mainstream U.S. press. ,- Individuals receive discounts on subscriptions to Nature and Annual Reviews, and reduced registration fee for the Sigma Xi forum series.,- The association can set up or use an existing listserv hosted by Sigma Xi and the members can get a permanent email alias@sigmaxi.org. Visit us at http://www.ad-astra.ro/asso/(öffnet in neuem Fenster) for info on to become an Ad Astra member and contact us at e-mail: contact@ad-astra.ro for further details or questions related to this program and/or other Ad Astra projects. Ad-Astra is a non-governmental organization devoted to the Romanian scientific community and programmatically aimed at the young generation of scientists. An associated web site http://www.ad-astra.ro(öffnet in neuem Fenster) was launched in February 2002 as a volunteer project. Ad Astras specific objectives are:,· to promote research performed by Romanian scientists, either in Romania or abroad;,· to organize activities that support and promote the rights and the interests of Romanian researchers, with a special emphasis on young researchers;,· to encourage communication and collaboration between Romanian scientists from abroad and from the country;,· to support research in Romania as well as the reform in education and research;,· to promote the integration of Romanian researchers in the international research. Ad-Astras activity is based on the communication via Internet to allow for better communication among all Romanian researchers no matter in what part of the world they work and reside. A Who's Who-type database based on voluntary registration numbers approximately 570 members at the moment (of which, 160 have registered their publications); a related database lists more than 600 of their most significant publications (i.e. references, abstracts, theses, and dissertations). In addition, the web site features a Science Library, dedicated forums for discussions on various scientific topics. Registered users of our site can post news, events and funding opportunities for the benefit of the community; moreover, each registered member can present his scientific profile on our site. Simultaneously with the web site, Ad Astra launched an on-line journal dedicated to showcasing modern science, performed either in Romania or by Romanian scientists abroad; to present latest scientific paradigms and methodological concepts to be used as benchmarks for objectively estimating the state of science and education in Romania; and to provide an open discussion forum on science and education policies, with the declared aim of presenting coherent reform proposals to the Romanian political establishment (see http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/ ). The main language for the journal is English to insure openness towards worlds scientific community; three issues have already been published. Ad Astra organized and participated in workshops and roundtables dedicated to improving the ability of Romanian researchers to compete on the international scene.
Länder
Romania