5 – 10 August 2018

Chiang Mai, Thailand

The annual “Optical Design Summer School” resumed for the third time in 2018 during 5 – 10 August with 25 international attendants worldwide. This year, once again, the school was organized by the International Training Centre in Astronomy under the auspices of UNESCO (ITCA), the Centre hosted by the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) in the heart of Chiang Mai. Prof. Theirry Lepine from Institutd’Optique Graduate School also returned to give lectures in the school.

 

Among 25 participants in ODSS 2018, some have been exposed and reintroduced into the previous contexts included in the previous ODSS. Although maintained an intensive to advanced knowledge in optical design that span off from last year, some of the topics remained as vital key players towards optical design and software development. Participants also visited the 2.4-m optical telescope at Thai National Observatory (TNO) located atop Doi Inthanon – the highest peak in Thailand.

Towards the end of the school, a special occasion was marked as the MoU Signing Ceremony between NARIT and Institutd’Optique Graduate School. Bringing scientific cooperation between Thailand and France to a new extreme. The MoU intended to stress on optical astronomy and instrumentation, be it through knowledge and technology transfer, staff exchange, instrumentation development and modern technical optical design in undergraduate and graduate levels. The said MoU shall last for six consecutive years. 

Prof. François Balembois represented Institutd’Optique Graduate School and Dr. Saran Poshyachinda – NARIT Executive Director represented NARIT as a signatory. The ceremony was also witnessed by Dr. Stéphane Roy, Attaché for Scientific and Higher Education Cooperation, French Embassy to Thailand. Dr. Roy also gave a briefing on ‘Franco-Thai Scientific Partnership’ on behalf of the French Ambassador to Thailand prior to the signing ceremony.

With NARIT’s intention to install and develop optical laboratories at its new Headquarters “Sirindhorn AstroPark”, Dr. Christophe Buisset – NARIT Senior Researcher who is in charge of Optical Instrumentation led the expanding team to join hands with the French counterparts for the benefits of both institutes in the long run. The ceremony was attended by ODSS 2018 participants, NARIT Executives and staff members and Chiang Mai University Faculty Members, all of whom shared a common interest in optical astronomy and its development and collaborations.