As is well known to readers of SR News, the SESAME Project [www.sesame.org.jo] aims to develop a synchrotron radiation research center in the Middle East based on an upgrade of the BESSY I facility which is being offered as a gift by Germany. Because there is little experience with accelerators in the Middle East, for this project to succeed it is necessary to create a team of scientists and engineers with expertise in accelerator technology. The SESAME Training Committee, cochaired by Reza Mansouri (Iran) and Miguel Virasoro (Italy), is charged with the developing programs to train scientists and engineers in all aspects of the SESAME project including accelerator technology, beam lines, and research applications of synchrotron radiation.

As a first step in the area of accelerator technology, a workshop/school sponsored by the SESAME Training Committee was held at Al-Balqa' Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan from September 9-18, 2000, with financial support from Al-Balqa' Applied University, the International Atomic Energy Agency, ICTP-Trieste, and UNESCO.

The main driving force behind the workshop was Gus Voss (DESY), cochair of the SESAME Technical Committee. Together with Kamal Araj (then at Al-Balqa' Applied University and presently with the IAEA) and Ernst Weihreter (BESSY), Voss developed the agenda and chose the following instructors:

1. Gamp / DESY (RF-transmitters, acceleration systems)
   
2. Herveaux / Lure (vacuum systems)
   
3. Holtkamp / Fermilab (magnet design, power supplies)
   
4. Martirosyan / YerPhi (White circuits, power supplies)
   
5. Nadji / Lure (beam optics, beam dynamics)
   
6. Plesko / Jozef Stefan Institute (control systems)
   
7. Weihreter / BESSY (synchrotron radiation, injection)
   
8. Zyngier / LURE (beam diagnostics and instrumentation)
   

Since only 50 participants could be accomodated from about 100 final applications, a selection committee consisting of Araj, Michel Sommer LURE, France), Sergio Tazzari (ELETTRA, Italy), Voss, and Herman Winick SSRL/SLAC, USA) was established. Actually more than 200 applications were initially received by the national coordinators before these were filtered to the final 100 applications.

The workshop began with introductory and overview talks on the SESAME project by Araj and Voss, a general introduction to synchrotron radiation by Weihreter, and a general introduction to storage rings by Henri Zyngier. Later in the workshop Winick gave an overview talk on synchrotron radiation properties, souces, and research applications.

After the introductory talks the participants were divided into seven working groups, led by the instructors in the following topics:

• Electron optics for storage rings, lattice design
  
• High power rf-transmitters, accelerating cavities and feeder systems
  
• Electrical systems including magnet power supplies
  
• Ultra high vacuum systems
  
• Injection systems
  
• Magnet design, support and alignment
  
• Control systems, hardware and software
  
• Beam instrumentation and diagnostics
  

They solved problems given by the instructors and designed lattices and technical components of accelerators. Although coming from diverse political backgrounds, the participants worked together harmoniously and enjoyed several excursions and dinners organized by the local organizing committee.

At the end of the workshop, 21 of the participants were chosen to join groups at European synchrotron radiation laboratories to receive advanced training in related fields, with support from these laboratories. The host labortories include: ANKA, Daresbury, DESY, Elettra, ESRF, LURE, MAXLAB, and the Swiss Light Source. After 6-12 months of experience at these laboratories these scientists are expected to form the core of the SESAME accelerator group.

Herman Winick