IUCr 1999 Triennial Report - Asian Crystallographic Association (AsCA)

The Asian Crystallographic Association has made a significant contribution in promoting crystallography in the region during the past three years. In one aspect, AsCA encourages its member societies to have more and effective academic activity to promote the development of crystallography in their country and/or region; meanwhile, AsCA itself concentrates on its main task of organising the AsCA conference series. These conferences are held every three years in different countries and regions.

Thanks to the rapid development of science and technology in Asia, crystallography has its chance to prosper. Each member society of AsCA has made its contribution in materials science, life science and other related disciplines. In these countries and regions, crystallographic societies made every effort to promote students and young scientists by helping them to participate in more workshops, symposia, and conferences organised by these societies. AsCA also encourages its member societies to give more help to those in less developed countries and regions by providing information, collaboration and even some research facilities.

The Third AsCA Conference (AsCA '98) was a major activity in the past three years; AsCA '98 was held in Hotel Equatorial, Bangi, Malaysia, 13—15 October 1998. More than 300 scientists and students from 14 countries and/or regions participated in this conference. During the three-day programme, all the participants had a successful academic exchange and helpful discussions. There were 4 plenary lectures and 14 microsymposia. The topics ranged from Diffraction Theory, Structure Refinement, Aperiodic Structures, Biocrystallography and Proteins, etc., to Instrumentation and Other Categories. To celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the IUCr, a microsymposium was held during AsCA '98. In addition to the symposia, a small instrumentation exhibition was held. AsCA '98 received contributions from seven professional bodies and institutions, such as the IUCr, the Crystallography Society of Japan, the University of Kebangsaan, Malaysia, etc. Financial support from Rigaku International (Japan), MAC Science, the International Centre for Diffraction Data, Bruker AXS and Marresearch were gratefully acknowledged.

The Fourth AsCA Conference will be held in 2001 and the Organising Committee and venue will be determined at the Glasgow Congress.

AsCA is very grateful to the IUCr for support and guidance and hopes to continue to play an important role in promoting crystallography in Asia.

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