Ambassador Jambaldorj Tserendorj of Mongolia in Italy visited TWAS in May to learn about the Academy and build relationships that could help his country develop valuable scientific expertise.

H. E. Jambaldorj said that the economy of Mongolia, a sprawling nation of mountains and plains, has a strong economic focus on agriculture and animal husbandry – and especially the production of high-quality Cashmere , which it exports to many nations including Italy. To further develop, he said, the nation needs researchers and engineers. He sees that potential in Italy’s scientific sector, which he hopes might present new possibilities for introducing technology and knowledge to his own country. 

Italy, and especially Venice, is very important to Mongolian history, the Ambassador said. The relationship goes as far back as the 13th century, when Italian Marco Polo came to Beijing – at the time in Mongolian territory – and served for Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan.

“We already have very good relations between our two countries, and now we need to focus on trade and economic cooperation,” H. E. Jambaldorj said. 

Mongolian scientists, he said, often come back to Mongolia after they complete their studies abroad, but at home they don’t have enough resources for their research. However, there are strong signs that Mongolia is developing the ability to train and further develop researchers who return home with PhDs in the sciences. For example, Mongolia has a growing number of hospitals and diagnostic centres that can both nurture and use more medical knowledge. 

TWAS has strong ties with Mongolia. Five Mongolian scientists are currently TWAS Fellows. Since 2007, the Academy has also awarded 23 PhD fellowships to early-career Mongolian scientists and six research grants to Mongolian scientists. Three Mongolian scientists have been selected for TWAS-UNESCO Associateships, allowing them to making working visits to high-quality labs in other countries. Eighteen Mongolian researchers have won TWAS Young Scientist Prizes. The Academy brought two Mongolian scientists to Trieste to take part in its science diplomacy programmes.

While at TWAS on 12 May, Ambassador Jambaldorj met with a TWAS delegation that included Giusto Sciarabba, special advisor to TWAS Executive Director Mohamed Hassan; and Edward W. Lempinen, public information officer. His visit to Trieste also included The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), which hosts TWAS offices.

Sean Treacy