Two staff members of the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS), University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva, participated in the “International Workshop on Laboratory Quality Standards towards Global Competitiveness” in Manila, Philippines, from 23 to 26 May.
IAS Food Key Technical Person (KTP), Jeremaia Koroijiuta and Manager Quality & Communication, Mereoni Degei attended the workshop that was organised by the Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network.
The workshop drew Chemists, Laboratory and Quality Managers from around Asia and the Pacific who discussed Special Techniques and Advanced Methods in Food Analysis, Method Validation techniques for sophisticated equipment, and Statistical methods for interlaboratory comparisons. Also covered were the latest ISO standards for Laboratory Testing, Quality Standards, Safety, and Statistical Analysis
“The workshop equipped us with knowledge on the latest Food Analytical techniques being used in the Asia Pacific region and other aspects of the Laboratory operations that we wish to improve on,” said Koroijiuta. “This would allow the Laboratory to offer the latest analytical methods using advanced equipment to reduce the turnaround time of results,” he added.
The Pacific Community (SPC), “Safe Agriculture Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacific) Project and the “Support to business-friendly and inclusive national and regional policies, and strengthen productive capabilities and value chains” Projects had funded the IAS staff participation at the workshop. This was in line with the SAFE and the Business-Friendly Projects’ objective to support the strengthening of analytical capabilities in the region and ensure that these services are available to small Pacific Island countries’ businesses, and improve their access to export markets.
SAFE Project Value Chain Specialist Mr Sanfred Smith said that acquiring this knowledge would help the region in complying to international laboratory and food safety standards, “This would allow the Pacific Island countries to enter new frontiers and markets.”
Dr Isoa Korovulavula, Acting Director, IAS, acknowledged the SPC SAFE Project for their support of the training, “We thank the SPC SAFE Project for recognising the important role that the IAS Laboratory provides the region. The SPC & IAS, USP collaboration is in line with the USP Strategic Plan, Priority Area 4 on Regional Cooperation through the CROP Network to improve economic and social benefits for member countries through education, research and capacity building efforts,” he stated.
