Report of the Review Committee for the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) - 27 March 2012
Response to the JIVE review panel
13 April 2012
The JIVE board
The JIVE board has received the report by the review panel dated 27 March 2012. It acknowledges the extensive expertise with which the committee has carried out its task and is impressed by he depth of the report and the valuable recommendations in it. Most importantly, the JIVE board has taken note of the excellent rating JIVE has received for its overall performance and in particular in the specific areas of its core business, supporting the users and operating the VLBI facility. Clearly the panel has stated that they couldn’t see this job done more efficiently. Moreover, the panel rated the innovative programmes for VLBI carried out by JIVE as excellent, as well as its role in attracting and managing European funding for the VLBI network.
The JIVE board is particularly happy by the panel’s view on the excellence of the science of the EVN and the research carried out by JIVE staff. The recommendation that the profile of VLBI in various astronomical fields deserves further promotion will need to be given serious attention.
By surveying the opinions of partners, stakeholders and users the panel has reached the conclusion that JIVE’s service role is exemplary. It is thus clear that there is a strong desire, as well as a compelling scientific case, to continue JIVE’s central role in the EVN. The report is also an endorsement of JIVE’s strategy for the future of JIVE and the EVN. In particular, it recognizes the importance of the recently introduced software correlator, but also the strategic value of developing a large-scale, FPGA-based correlator. These correlator developments go together very well with the evolution of e-VLBI and the special focus that JIVE has on space applications.
The board agrees with the carefully worded encouragement to proceed with a possible transition of JIVE into a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, if it can be assured that this will not reduce the level of international participation in the operational responsibilities. The board endorses the principle that more EVN radio astronomy facilities should contribute toward the mission of JIVE.
The JIVE board wishes to express its gratitude towards the members of the panel for making such a valuable expert assessment of the institute, and likes to congratulate the Dwingeloo staff with their excellent performance in the review. The members of the board recognize their responsibility to provide a healthy base for this outstanding European facility in the future.
- JIVE press release: "JIVE future looks bright: 'excellent' results from five-year review" (16 April 2012)