University signs Memorandum of Understanding with ALICE experiment at nuclear research organisation CERN

The University of Derby signed a Memorandum of Understanding with delegates from the ALICE experiment at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, today (Monday, November 2).

ALICE is the acronym for A Large Ion Collider Experiment – one of the largest experiments in the world devoted to research in the physics of matter at an infinitely small scale.

Staff at CERN, based in Switzerland, are currently probing the fundamental structure of the universe.

As an associate member of the ALICE experiment at CERN, the College of Engineering and Technology at the University of Derby is collaborating on a scheme, called the O² project.   

The University was brought in to assist with the project due to its expertise in data science, cloud computing and electronic engineering.

Today, Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, Professor Nick Antonopoulos, Dean of College of Engineering and Technology at the University, and Hari Punchihewa, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at the University, signed a partnership agreement with Dr Paolo Giubellino, who is currently leading the ALICE experiment at CERN.

The signing comes as part of a three-day visit by physicists and engineers from ALICE to the University.

Professor Nick Antonopoulos said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have formalised our relationship with the ALICE experiment at CERN.

“This is the beginning of a significant strategic partnership that will enable us to showcase and apply the expertise of our staff and students to ground-breaking real-world challenges.”

Dr Paolo Giubellino added: “This is the start of a journey together and it is important mainly because Derby has a very specific know-how in technology and the treatment of large data sets which is crucial to the ALICE project.”  

During their visit, delegates from the ALICE experiment will be given tours of the IT and Computing and Mathematics facilities at the University of Derby and will meet with academic staff. 

Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 3), 95 A-level Physics, Science and Mathematics students from Woodlands Secondary School in Derby, The Joseph Whitaker School in Mansfield and Newcastle-under-Lyme College will be attending an interactive session at the University of Derby with the ALICE visitors.

For more information about studying Engineering and Technology at the University of Derby, visit: www.derby.ac.uk/departments/computing-engineering/