Led by its Director, Tetsuya Ishikawa, the ALBA Synchrotron today hosted a delegation from RIKEN SPring-8 Center, one of the world’s most powerful research infrastructures, which includes both a synchrotron radiation facility and a free-electron laser. Like the ALBA Synchrotron, SPring-8 is dedicated to advancing science by revealing the inner structure of matter across a wide range of disciplines - from biomedicine to materials science.

The Consellera for Research and Universities of the Catalan Government, Núria Montserrat, and José Ignacio Doncel, Deputy Director General for Unique Scientific and Technological Facilities (ICTS) at the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, attended the event. They both highlighted ALBA's key role in driving research and innovation in Spain, and emphasized how collaborations like this one are essential to maintaining scientific excellence at the global level.

During the visit, the Japanese delegation received an overview of the ALBA Synchrotron from its Director, Caterina Biscari, followed by a tour of the facility, where they met with researchers conducting experiments on-site. Ishikawa also presented the capabilities and upgrade plans of RIKEN SPring-8 Center, showcasing its cutting-edge instruments and future developments.

During the session, both facilities formalized a framework for cooperation in synchrotron radiation research and technology development, aiming to foster innovation and strengthen international scientific exchange. The Directors of ALBA and RIKEN SPring-8 signed the MoU to promote bilateral exchanges and collaborative initiatives in key areas such as joint scientific research, exchange of academic and technical expertise, mobility programs for researchers and scholars, and additional projects related to synchrotron science and instrumentation. This agreement reflects the long-standing friendship and shared vision between Japan and Spain in advancing large-scale scientific infrastructures.