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Memorandum of Understanding to Establish
an
International Square Kilometre Array
Steering Committee
The undersigned, representing their respective organisations,
recognizing:
their mutual interest to develop the Square Kilometre
Array (SKA) radio telescope as a joint international endeavour, and
the need for a coordinating body to oversee and direct
the development of a joint international Square Kilometre Array program,
including a joint research and development program,
hereby agree to establish an International Square Kilometre
Array Steering Committee to:
- promote the SKA as
an international project,
- to provide oversight and to act as a coordinating body to establish
agreed goals and timelines for the project,
- to develop a joint international technical and scientific proposal for
the SKA, including an implementation and cost plan, and
- to establish and oversee working groups as necessary.
Make up of the Committee
The International Square Kilometre Array Steering Committee,
hereafter the ISSC, will be comprised of at most 20 members, including a
core membership of 18 made up of
six representatives from the United States,
six representatives from Europe,
two representatives from Australia,
two representatives from Canada,
two representatives from Asia,
and two at-large members.
The signatories to this agreement will appoint representatives
to the core membership.
At-large members will be elected by majority vote of
the core membership, when expertise or representation of a constituency not
included in the core membership is needed. Any core member may nominate an
at-large member. At-large appointments are renewable and will be made for
a term of two years.
The ISSC will choose a chair, vice-chair and executive
secretary from among its membership. The chair and vice-chair of the ISSC
will be elected by majority vote of the core membership. Nominees for chair
and vice-chair will not be eligible to vote. The term of office of the chair
and vice-chair will be two years. After a two-year term, the vice-chair
will normally be elected to replace the chair.
The executive secretary will be elected by majority
vote of the core membership. Nominees for the executive secretary will not
be eligible to vote. The term of the executive secretary will be three years.
Nominations and elections of chair, vice-chair and executive
secretary will take due regard for geographical diversity.
Decisions of the Committee
A quorum for taking decisions will constitute at least
2/3 of the total ISSC membership with at least 50% representation from each
of Europe, United States and the remaining membership. Decisions on affirmative
motions will be taken by majority vote of the ISSC members present, provided
there is a quorum present. In other matters, in case of a tie vote,
the presiding officer will not vote except to break a tie.
Meetings of the ISSC
Meetings of the ISSC will be held twice per year, and
more frequently if a majority of the core membership agrees.
Members, with the exception of at-large members, may
appoint alternative representatives to attend any particular meeting of the
ISSC on their behalf.
Attendance at meetings of the ISSC by non-members will
be at the invitation of the chair of the ISSC.
The members of the ISSC will make every effort to ensure
participation in the ISSC, including participation in ISSC meetings.
Secretariat
The ISSC agrees to establish
a secretariat that will be funded jointly according to procedures determined
by the ISSC. The secretariat will be accountable to the ISSC, and activities
of the secretariat will be reviewed periodically. The maximum contribution
to support the activities of the secretariat will be $2000 (US) per year per
member, to be reviewed annually.
Changes
Changes, including restructuring
the ISSC or disbanding this Memorandum, will need the support of a majority
vote of a quorum. Changes will not take effect until they have been ratified
by the signatories, or, in the event of a lack of response from the signatory,
after a period of 2 months has transpired.
Period
This memorandum will
be valid for a period of 5 years after it has been signed by all signatories.
At the end of the five-year period, it may be renewed by the ISSC members.
Signed,
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Prof. R. D. Ekers, Chair
Australian SKA Consortium
AUSTRALIA
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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Dr. Donald C. Morton, Director General
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, NRC
CANADA
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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Prof. G.X. Ai, Director
Beijing Astronomical Observatory
National Astronomical Observatories
P.R. China
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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Prof. Rajaram Nityananda, Centre Director
National Centre for Radio Astronomy, TIFR
INDIA
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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Prof. Harvey R. Butcher, Chair
European SKA Consortium
Europe
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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Dr. Jill Tarter, Chair
U.S. SKA Consortium
USA
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____________________________
date:____________________________
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