International Summer School on Quality Assurance 2024
From 4 – 17 July, the International Summer School on Quality Assurance took place in Křtiny, Czechia. Before starting their second year in the EACH program, our students Adrian González and Felipe Takano participated in the summer school and will look back on their experience in this blog post.
Felipe: Summer School has a complete program to extend our knowledge about how a test laboratory works under ISO 17025 and all the important related aspects. We had excellent technical lectures about diverse topics in metrology such as measurement uncertainty, traceability, audits, and validation. It was very interesting to see how some of the subjects taught in the Metrology in Chemistry, at the University of Tartu, are approached differently. During Summer School, we are divided into small laboratory teams and receive the task of validating a method and performing a measurement of a sample. This was the perfect opportunity to apply the knowledge of the technical classes and to experience an environment that simulates a laboratory. It can especially be challenging to work with people from different backgrounds and language can also be a barrier, but that is part of what I learned from this experience. We had a very intense couple of weeks but could also enjoy some time with our new friends and get to know some of Moravia’s sightseeing. Czech is a beautiful country! So, if you are interested in getting deeper knowledge in metrology, Summer School would be an excellent experience for you!
Adrian: The International Summer School in Křtiny was an amazing experience. The school was well-organized, combining practical and theoretical sessions that enabled us to apply knowledge efficiently. As well, we gained a better understanding of uncertainty estimation, validation, and statistics in the context of ISO 17025. In the sessions lab, we improved our soft skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. Additionally, I met new friends around the world, and through sharing our backgrounds, I came to appreciate the importance of analytical chemistry in various contexts. These aspects help us to increase our skills as analytical chemists. Beyond academics, we had the chance to explore the beautiful Czech Republic, visiting places like Brno Town Hall, Chateau Lysice, Punkva caves, and Villa Tugendhat. Despite being intensive, Summer School was a great and fun experience. Without hesitation, I would attend again.
