THE RAMMAL AWARD 2007

Description:

The Rammal Award 2007 honours posthumously Prof. Daniel Amit

Committee's Report

EUROSCIENCE's President Enric Banda announced today that, by a unanimous decision of its expert panel, the Rammal Award for the year 2007 will be awarded posthumously to Professor Daniel Amit, of Israeliand Italian citizenships, who passed away on November 3rd, 2007. The Rammal Award, created in memory of the great Lebanese physicist Rammal Rammal (1951-1991), is awarded each year to an outstanding personality of strong scientific stature who, through his or her life andactivity in a Mediterranean country (whether in fundamental or applied research, teaching, or the integration of knowledge), has elevated the level of scientific exchanges in this part of the world. Professor Daniel Amit was 69. In 1978 he was appointed Professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and was Chairman of the Racah Institute of Physics from 1984 to 1987. In 1991, he was appointed Professor at the La Sapienza University of Rome.

Daniel Amit was a high level scientist who worked at the fore fronts of both elementary particle physics and statistical mechanics. His pioneering research on the modelling of neuronal networks had a strong impact on the development of computational neuroscience. He also worked tirelessly for a just and mutually acceptable peace between the Arab World (and in particular the Palestinian people) and Israel, especially through a close scientific and educational cooperation among peoples of this part of the world.

The RAMMAL AWARD 2007 and the Price giving ceremony 2008

Scientists of all disciplines have suggested names of nominees until August 1st, 2008.

Active scientists from any disciplinary background, including exact sciences, social sciences and humanities, were eligible. Organisations supporting similar objectives were also eligible, as well as self candidacies.

On November 21st, 2008 Professor Daniel Amit, Israeli and Italian national, was awarded posthumously the Rammal Medal 2007.

The Rammal 2007 Award ceremony took place at the European Doctoral College in Strasbourg as a conclusion of a one day seminar entitled:

"In the Spirit of Sakharov. Science, Ethics and Politics - Yesterday and Tomorrow"

initiated by Lydie Koch-Miramond and the working group “Ethics in Science”. The Rammal Medal was handed over by Jean-Patrick Connerade, chair of the Rammal Committee and former president of Euroscience to Yali Amit, son of the recipient Daniel Amit who died on November 3, 2007,