Dr Hassan Al Derham (left), President of Qatar University, with other officials.
DOHA: Qatar University’s (QU) research laboratories at the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) and Laboratory Animal Research Center (LARC) have been awarded ISO/IEC - 17025 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).
ISO/IEC 17025 is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world and is used in developing the management system capable of producing accurate and reliable results. This accreditation demonstrates that the labs comply with the accreditation requirements spelled out in ISO/IEC - 17025.
As one of the essential requirements of accreditation, QU research labs are participating successfully in the proficiency testing programs with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) (USA), the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) (UK), and the Environmental Resources Associates (ERA) Waters (Greece). To enhance the technical competence of its employees, QU has a series of training programs run by internationally recognized organisations such as A2LA.
Commenting on this achievement, QU Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Prof. Mariam Al Maadeed said: “This achievement underlines the competence of quality management systems, the personnel involved and equipment used at QU’s research laboratories. QU’s research centers have state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure that can support the research activities of the faculty members, student learning, and services to the industry. They also adhere to the highest levels of international best practice.”
BRC Director and QU College of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Asma Al Thani said: “Quality is a journey, not a destination. Quality must be promoted consistently in BRC’s activities to eliminate variation in practice. This will result in producing reliable and high-quality research to enrich the health services in Qatar.”
LARC Director Dr. Hamda Al Naemi said: “Highest standards of quality are the key of success and sustained delivery of best service. LARC implements quality standards in all its activities and in providing rodent animal models to support biomedical and health research.”
Director of QU Office of Research Planning & Development Dr. Aiman Erbad said: “QU’s strategic plan aims to increase collaboration with industrial stakeholders. Accreditation and the associated quality standards are a key component to building trust and expanding technical services provided to industry.”
