Jammu University bags breakthrough prize in fundamental physics.

The University of Jammu on Saturday celebrated a proud moment as its High Energy Physics Group from the Department of Physics was recognized as part of the international team awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2025 in Fundamental Physics — referred to as the “Oscars of Science.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, congratulated Proffessor Anju Bhasin and her team for their outstanding achievement, calling it a matter of great pride not just for the University but for the nation. University, with the High Energy Physics Group sharing insights into their contribution to CERN’s ALICE experiment and the broader impact of the work. “It is a breakthrough prize for this group, and a tremendous honor for the entire institution and the country that the University of Jammu’s significant contributions have been recognised internationally”, said while acknowledging the team’s work in the development of detectors, detector control systems, data analysis, and applications in sectors such as medicine and automobiles, noting that these technologies are already being utilized.

Proffessor Rai emphasised that such global collaborations provide invaluable exposure to students, scholars, and faculty, opening up new frontiers of research and innovation. Dwelling in detail on the University’s unique distinction, Prof Rai said that the University of Jammu stands as the sole institution from Jammu and Kashmir to be associated with this prestigious international collaboration. This achievement has not only enhanced our national presence but has also significantly contributed to building our global footprint, he added.

Proffessor Bhasin, who led the High Energy Physics Group at the University, spoke about the University’s role in the prestigious ALICE collaboration at CERN. She also said that this milestone opens new avenues beyond fundamental research. “The skills developed through our work, such as in advanced detector technology, big data analytics, electronics, and high-performance computing, are highly transferable”, she said, adding that the expertise gained has applications in medical imaging, nuclear safety, and information technology, making the research highly relevant to societal needs.

At the University of Jammu, the ALICE team, headed by Proffessor Anju Bhasin, comprises Proffessor Sanjeev Singh Sambyal, Proffessor Ramni Gupta, Anik Gupta (Scientist ‘G’), Dr Rajendra Patra, Sanjay Mahajan, and Dr Renu Bala (Project Scientist). Six faculty members, one postdoctoral researcher, and several research scholars from the University are actively engaged in the ALICE experiment. The HEP Group has made valuable contributions across detector hardware development, simulation, data-taking, and physics analysis.

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