The Islamic Republic of Pakistan became an associate member state of CERN on 31 July, following notification that Pakistan has ratified an agreement signed last December, granting this status to the country (CERN Courier January/February 2015 p6).
Pakistan’s new status will open a new era of co-operation that will strengthen the long-term partnership between CERN and the Pakistani scientific community. Associate membership will allow Pakistan to participate in the governance of CERN, through attending CERN Council meetings. Moreover, it will allow Pakistani scientists to become CERN staff members, and to participate in CERN’s training and career-development programmes. Finally, it will allow Pakistani industry to bid for CERN contracts, thus opening up opportunities for industrial collaboration in areas of advanced technology.
