Theory Consortium

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Theory Consortium

• Frank Hsia-San Shu

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Agenda

• Rationale
• Philosophy Ambition
• Objectives of Meeting
• Scope of Organization Activities
• Finding Resources
• Local Strengths Weaknesses
• Tasks for Local Centers
• Action Items Next Meeting

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Rationale

• Driver to develop astrophysics in region
• China
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Critical role for Chinese-Americans
• Cooperation in research education
• Cost effectiveness of theory

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Philosophy and Ambition

• Philosophy for cooperation
• Competition is rest of world, not within China,
  Hong Kong, or Taiwan.
• Our strategy must be consistent with this
  philosophy.
• Parochial differences must be set aside.
• Ambition
• We want to make Chinese theoretical astrophysics
  the best in the world.
• We want to accomplish this goal on a fast track.

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Objectives of Meeting

• Objectives of this meeting
• Get to know each other
• Assemble teams
• Discuss scope of organization activities
• Plan the raising of local resources
• Assess local strengths weaknesses
• Define necessary tasks
• Recruit help of overseas scientists
• Secure financial resources
• Circumvent internal external politics

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Scope of Organization

• Physical centers
• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• Hsinchu
• Virtual institute connected globally by internet
• Coordinated from America?
• Funding?
• Director?
• Board?

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Scope of Activities

• Virtual theory institute
• Research
• Teaching
• Real time?
• Delayed broadcast?
• Local supervision
• Joint faculty appointments
• Joint degree students
• International visitors program
• Topical workshops
• Intensive winter summer schools
• Pool of postdoctoral fellows

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Finding Resources

• University administrations
• Line up support for basic idea
• Prepare plan for administration use
• Obtain positions and space
• Government agencies
• Integrated proposal for region
• Emphasize excellence, cost effectiveness,
  international cooperation
• Private gifts
• Identify potential donors
• Cultivate relationships
• Give cogent presentations
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
• Medical imaging
• Education entertainment

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Tasks for Local Centers

• Recruit help of overseas scientists
• Personal opportunity to make a bigger difference
• Block grant support
• Outstanding students
• Permanent or temporary commitment (e.g., 2 years)
• Sell idea of joint appointments degrees to
  local administrations
• Secure financial resources
• Relatively cheap path to reach top tier
• Critical mass smaller in theoretical astrophysics
  than in other fields
• High visibility subject with great public appeal
• Circumvent internal external politics
• Build locally
• Network globally via virtual institute

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Local Strengths Weaknesses

• Existing work environment?
• Reputation of institution?
• Quality of colleagues staff?
• Quality of students?
• Existence of critical mass?
• Competitive salaries?
• Expedited sabbaticals at sister centers?
• Contribution of local strengths to overall
  system?
• Integrated global effort?
• Start-up packages?
• Housing commute?

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Action Items

• Assemble virtual institute team
• Research organization
• Educational organization
• Assemble local teams
• Develop long-range road map
• Staffing space
• Raising needed resources
• Coordinate with other centers virtual institute
• Identify local godfather
• Extramural fund raising
• Draw up list of potential donors
• Consider forming company to do medical imaging?
  Mass education? Entertainment?

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Next Meeting

• Set time and place for next meeting
• Organizational part
• Scientific part
• Educational part
• Agenda for next meeting
• Reports on progress
• Planning for next steps
• Involvement of observers

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