News

EPBS Dublin Conference: Reports and news

The 4th annual council meeting was held 11-13 October 2002 in Dublin.

Minimum standards for a European Register of Biomedical Scientists were discussed and agreed on. The aim for EPBS is to achieve a minimum standard of education and training. For the first time a Students Forum was set up to discuss educational matters and other issues of importance for students in Europe. Proposals from the group: an annual students forum, to be part of the EPBS web page, promotion of forum in member states, funding and the first step:”EPBS – European Students of Biomedical Science”.
The 5th annual council meeting will be held 11-12 October in Brussels.

Report from the student forum
These were the topics, as discussed by the student representatives:

UK - It would be preferable if training was part of the degree course and if the degree was more specific.
AUTOMATON - It was thought that the level of education can be very high for everyday, routine laboratory work. However, it is necessary for understanding the principles of the work being carried out.
MASTERS/PhD - Important for advancement, greater opportunities, personal development. Increasing knowledge in the area of biomedical science. Teaching your colleagues. Status for the profession.

Presentations from speeches at the European Professions in Biomedical Science conference held a couple of weeks ago in Dublin are available by clicking on the links below:

Development of Laboratory Medicine in Europe - Prof Dr R Haeckel
Laboratory Medicine in Ireland - Dr Tom Scott
Recruitment and retention issues in the UK - Mr A Walsh - Dept of Health, United Kingdom