SSPC Annual Report_2014_4WEB

Training
The SSPC training programme is developed upon the existing suite of bespoke in-company training
programmes that were established under the auspices of the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster (2007-
2013). The training programme commenced in January 2014 and hosted five training workshops SSPC/
UL/NUIG/Roche Masterclass in Process Development and Scale-up; Masterclass in Synthetic Organic
Chemistry; SFI SMART FUTURES Training; Dynochem for SSPC Chemists; and CCDC Workshop for SSPC
Researchers.
Outreach
The SSPC’s bespoke outreach strategy is
aligned with Science Foundation Ireland’s
overall outreach and public engagement
strategy for research centres. The programme
engages with, and communicates SSPC
research to, pupils, parents, teachers and the
general public. Outreach programmes are
based upon teacher and scientist informed
curriculum materials, which develop cutting
edge activities suitable and appropriate to
pupils and curricula at differing stages of the
Irish schools system. During the reporting
period, SSPC have had over 3,000 interactions
with school pupils and teachers and approx.
20,000 members of the general public to
engage and promote SSPC research.
Outreach Highlights
SSPC National Crystal Growing
Competition
To celebrate the year 2014 being the International
Year of Crystallography, the Synthesis and Solid
State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) launched a
national crystal growing competition in September
2014, which was open to primary and post-primary
students in Ireland.
The aim of the SSPC National Crystal Growing
Competition was to enable students to grow their
own crystals, and to increase students’ awareness
and understanding of the importance of crystals in
our lives today.
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