Quality assurance in daily practice

 A report based on the workshop on "Quality Assurance in Daily Practice", organised by the study group "Quality Assurance and Accreditation" from the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the Federation of European Chemical Societies (SGQAA/DAC/FECS) held at the EUROANALYSIS-10 conference in Basle, 6–11 September 1998.     

Training and opportunities for Analytical Chemists in Switzerland

Summary The development during the past 5 years (results of an enquiry running from 1973–1978) is shown for the following: A. Demand for Analytical Chemists in some important Swiss companies; B. Interest in training chemists specializing in Analytical Chemistry in Swiss universities; C. Teaching in Analytical Chemistry, in particular the University of Geneva.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Teaching of Analytical Chemistry at Universities in Poland

Summary Education in Analytical Chemistry in Poland is mainly carried out at Universities and Technical Universities according to a unified curriculum. Courses on Analytical Chemistry in the second year and on instrumental analysis in the third year are compulsory for all students of chemistry. There are courses and lectures on specialized subjects in the fourth and fifth year for those who intend to subunit their thesis in Analytical Chemistry.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

The activities of the education and training group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society

Summary The aim of the Education and Training Group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society is to improve education and training in Analytical Chemistry at all levels: in universities, in industry, and in all establishments where Analytical Chemistry is practised. Teaching methods, the interface between education and employment and other current problems are dealt with in the form of lectures and discussions. The Group also undertakes a continuing series of questionnaires to monitor the development in this field. A biennial prize is sponsored with the intention of stimulating the interest in Analytical Chemistry amongst young people in the U.K.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Education in Analytical Chemistry

Summary After pointing out the necessity of including philosophical aspects in the teaching areas of Analytical Chemistry, proposals are made of new definitions of Analytical Chemistry and considerations are given of samples as representatives of a collective and carriers of information. An idealistic curriculum is presented for discussion.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Analytical Chemistry in the Republic of Ireland training and employment of chemists and technicians

Summary Based on the results of surveys carried out throughout the country the following topics are discussed: employment of chemists in Ireland, employment of chemists and technicians in the field of Analytical Chemistry, training requirements, types of courses and syllabus outlines.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Undergraduate teaching of Analytical Chemistry at the Italian universities

Summary The present state of teaching Analytical Chemistry in Italian universities is described and proposals are made for general improvement.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Education in Analytical Chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm

Summary Details are given on lectures, practical exercises and examinations in Analytical Chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Education and training of Analytical chemists in Yugoslavia

Summary There are twenty chemistry departments at Yugoslavian universities and polytechnics with as many chairs of Analytical Chemistry. The individual courses show considerable differences with regard to their extent and content. The share of Analytical Chemistry is not uniform and taken as a whole not adequate. However, improvements are under way. Details of the main courses and teaching plans are given.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference. Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Developing countries in pursuit of analytical quality control: the need for appropriate reference materials

Summary In a special session dedicated to problems of Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) in Developing Countries (DC), the participants of BERM-5 had an opportunity to hear of the difficulties routinely encountered in many laboratories in these countries. Participants from Chile, China, Ghana, India, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were invited to share the platform during this special session. The salient features of discussions that took place are summarized in this report and will not therefore be reported elsewhere.     

Education in Analytical Chemistry at the Universities in The Netherlands

Summary In this paper a survey is presented of the actual situation with regard to the education in Analytical Chemistry at the universities in the Netherlands.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

International student competitions in Analytical Chemistry

Summary Competition can play a very positive role of university, stimulating students to extra efforts. The international student competition in Analytical Chemistry as performed at Belgrade university is discussed in detail.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

A nationwide planning of Analytical Chemistry in universities: Possibilities and problems

Summary A nationwide planning of Analytical Chemistry in universities should meet two requirements: formulation of a common minimum programme for all universities and a well-balanced spread of research themes over the different universities. In the Netherlands this planning is the object of ISOAN, the Intersubfaculty Deliberation on Analytical Chemistry. Perhaps spectacular results have not yet been obtained, however thinking about these subjects has led to a more lucid picture and better mutual understanding.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Analytical Chemistry in non-specialized degree courses in Denmark

Summary The position of Analytical Chemistry in various degree courses in Danish universities is schematically presented. These courses include agricultural chemistry, food chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering, physical and general chemistry. Prerequisites, syllabuses, time consumption and required text books are compiled.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Present state of teaching Analytical Chemistry in Hungary

Summary A review is given on the present state and characteristic features of the higher education system in Hungary with special regard to Analytical Chemistry. Similarities and differences between science university and technical university education are shown. Problems of teaching instrumental analysis and of specialization are discussed.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Competency evaluation on electrolytic conductivity measurement in Indonesia by an unofficial bilateral comparison between RCChem-LIPI and NIMT

Accreditation and Quality Assurance - The Research Centre for Chemistry—Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCChem-LIPI) organized an unofficial bilateral comparison on electrolytic...     

The establishment of an Australian National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL)

 The National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL) was established by the Commonwealth Government within the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) Public Interest Programme in 1997, to help provide Australian scientists with the chemical standards they need to make reliable measurements. Reliable chemical measurements are vital to many aspects of our social and economic life including public health, environmental control, industrial productivity, trade innovation and government regulation. Mutual recognition of measurement results and the avoidance of costly disputes require the development of a structured and common system of measurement. Working-level measurements should be directly linked to national standards, which are themselves interlinked through international comparisons. Although metrology in chemistry is still in its infancy, increasing numbers of countries are establishing facilities to serve both national needs and to contribute to the international measurement system. The aim at NARL is to lead the development of an Australian chemical measurement system, which is harmonized with similar systems in other countries. This paper was presented at the Co-operation on Traceability in Analytical Chemistry (CITAC) symposium on Analytical Quality Assurance for the Twenty-first Century, held in Sydney on 15–16 October 1998. It describes the rationale for establishing NARL, the process of getting it started, the positioning, aims and strategy of NARL, the development of its work programme and plans for both national and international collaboration. If you would like more information or would like to contribute to the work of NARL please contact us at the above address.     

New approach in teaching analytical chemistry at the Technical Universities of Czechoslovakia

Summary The 5 year study programme of the Technical Universities in Czechoslovakia comprises two courses in Analytical Chemistry. In the second year of study there are 3 h lectures of AC and 9 h of laboratory work per week. In the third year instrumental analysis is taught — 3 h lectures and 7 h practical work per week. For the last two years a subject rearrangement has been going on for the purpose of intensifying the studies.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978