The second network-wide training event was about multi-scale characterization of bio-based fibre products. The scientific part of the event consisted of:
- Training on testing methods related to pulp fibres, paper, and cellulosic materials. The training was implemented in the form of lecture and hands on exercises with expert users.
- Lab tour for all interested participants.
- Poster session on ESRs' research work and results. We also had a best poster award and the winner was Alexandros Prapavesis with his topic "Effect of processing induced crystalline morphology against water absorption in thermoplastic based bio-composites" (Alex with the duck in the photo below).
- ESRs' presentations of their work. These presentations formed the basis for the later discussions with the supervisory teams. We also introduced the project to our PO in the Mid-term check.
- Supervisory team meetings, where the ESRs had the possibility to meet with their whole supervisory teams - including the co-supervisors from the network and the mentors from the industrial organizations - in order to discuss and direct the research work.
Besides the scientific training, we also had abundant offerings in transferable skills training. These training sessions included introductory lectures and extensive group works. The training topics were:
- Intercultural working by Mondi. Based on the feedback, all our training was spot-on and well-liked. Among all the high-quality training, the Mondi-training got the highest average grade!
- Creative problem solving by KU Leuven.
- How to address different audiences with your research topic by TU Graz.
Best poster award. Winner: Alexandros Prapavesis.
Networking, which is an important part of the events, took place in the official training sessions, in the hallways and most importantly during the different social events in the evenings.
All in all, the event was considered a success. According to the feedback that we collected, the average grade for the training was 4.64/5. Furthermore, the average grade for the venue and the overall benefit of the event for all participants - including all the academic and industrial participants - was 4.39/5.
We had alltogether 41 participants during the five-day event.
Social event: Evening at the armory flollowed by a dinner downtown Graz.
