The first group of graduates of a new European Master's degree received their diplomas on 26 October 2010 at the JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) in Geel, Belgium. The degree, "Measurement Science in Chemistry", was based on training initiatives developed by JRC-IRMM.
A consortium of nine universities located in seven different European countries (Estonia, Poland, France, Portugal, Finland, Bulgaria and Slovenia) got together under the mentorship of JRC-IRMM to offer the harmonised Master's degree "Measurement Science in Chemistry". It received the "Euromaster" quality award in 2008 and two years later, the first group of 33 students graduated.
Analytical measurements set the foundations for critical decisions in society. In Europe, measurements are involved in around 40% of the EU Directives and cost around €80 billion per year. Better healthcare, food safety and environmental protection are just some of the ways in which accurate and reliable measurements enhance our quality of life.
Training and knowledge transfer are essential for the mission of the JRC-IRMM, which is to promote a common and reliable European measurement system in support of EU policies. A high-quality, well-functioning measurement infrastructure in Europe depends not only on reference materials and measurements, but also on the availability of trained and competent practitioners.
Here is the text that one of graduated students - Bárbara Anes - spoke during the Graduation Ceremony. She graduated in the Master’s Course Measurement Science in Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon under the supervision of Prof. Filomena Camões.
Download the programme of the award ceremony[82Kb].
Download the press release[61Kb].
Download the leaflet of the award ceremony[2Mb].
Download presentations of all speakers of the ceremony:
Links to photogalery and movie of the ceremony.
Movie on Youtube about Measurements Science in Chemistry consortium.
Photos from the graduation ceremony
JRC-IRMM Director, Prof. Krzysztof Maruszewski, presented the evolution of the institute over the last 50 years. He also read out a congratulatory message to the laureates from the Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.
Prof. Tadeusz Luty, Member of JRC Board of Governors, Member of the Board of the European Universities Association at the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland, gave a presentation entitled "Changes in European higher education".
Prof. Reiner Salzer, University of Dresden, Germany, representing the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association, gave a presentation on "Analytical chemistry in the European higher education area".
Prof. Philip Taylor, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium, addressed the participants on the subject of "Why Europe fosters education and training in measurement science in chemistry".
Prof. Ewa Bulska, Coordinator of the Measurement Science in Chemistry consortium, Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw, Poland, described the "Achievements of the Euromaster Measurement Science in Chemistry".
The graduates, their supervisors, the University Deans and other guests pose for a group photo in the grounds of JRC-IRMM.
The graduates celebrate in the traditional manner!