From the day 1 🗓 of our Mechanical and materials course for accelerators and detectors, we had a vibrant atmosphere.
After 12 days of intense lectures, diverse visits to the industry and research centers, and continuous and changing hands-on exercises, we are happy to announce the successful completion of our recent CAS course in the Netherlands.
CAS courses are designed by professionals on their field, to make sure there is a successful knowledge transfer during this two-week residential course. This course was the first of its kind. For the first time in the history of the CERN Accelerator School, a course on mechanical and materials for accelerators and detectors was conceived, and it has been welcomed with high expectations.
It has been a pleasure to contribute to this CERN accelerator school on day one. Excellent opportunity to share knowledge and experiences between students and lecturers. Great people and excellent organization. Congratulations to all. Ana Arauzo, Lecturer
Due to high demand, we had to open a waiting list for this course soon after opening the registration. To accommodate as many participants as possible, we extended the capacity of our hotel's auditorium: students and teachers were participating on the sessions.
Here are some key highlights of the course:
🔹 85 participants from 20 nationalities, including 42 from CERN and 43 external participants.
🔹 49 specialists covering mechanical design, measurements, non-destructive testing, metrology, and fabrication.
🔹 Hands-on courses designed by professionals to provide practical experience in various aspects of mechanical engineering, such as design, fabrication, materials and NDT, mechanical measurements and metrology.
🔹 Special entertaining seminars on the Mechanics of Golf and the Einstein Telescope.
🔹 Networking opportunities for participants to connect and exchange ideas during coffee breaks, lunch and dinner.
🔹 Excursion day and cinema evening for participants to unwind and enjoy their time in the beautiful Netherlands.
In addition to all of that, CAS makes a big effort to provide a safe and convivial environment where the participants can relax, exchange experiences and ideas and network with all the participants. Students, teachers and hands-on professionals can find activities after this intense program to spend more time together, with professionals on the field from around the world. This is a unique experience.
We are still collecting our evaluation forms from the students, but we can advance that the feedback has been impressive, and the bar has been set really high.
This course was truly career changing, and at least twice as good as what I expected, and I expected a lot. Everything was smooth. Everything was fun. And all the exercises around the vacuum chamber were a stroke of genius. I'm also happy I was able to talk to so many of you guys and make some new friends. Thank you for this. Viren Bhanot, participant.
A big shoutout to CERN Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) Group for their unwavering support throughout the course and to the 49 professionals giving lectures and teaching on the hands-on exercises.
Thanks to DIFFER - Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research and Beata Tyburska-Pueschel and her colleagues, VDL Enabling Technologies Group (ETG), IBS Precision Engineering and Sioux Technologies, for opening their doors to us and making our visits insightful and engaging.
My sincere gratitude to the organisers. The course was an invaluable experience. It's impossible to gain all this knowledge anywhere else. Jan Van Steenlandt , participant.
Special thanks to all the teachers who shared their expertise in our hands-on courses – your dedication made a real difference.
We are excited to share that our course proceedings are set to be published, preserving the wealth of knowledge exchanged during our time together.
A heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making this course a success.
Cheers to many more enriching experiences ahead!
I am thrilled to share the success of the Mechanical Accelerator School organized by CAS (CERN accelerator School) and the Mechanical and Material Engineering (MME) group. These enriching weeks have significantly contributed to training the next generation in cutting-edge technology. Katy Foraz, EN Department Head, CERN.
You can find all the pictures of the course here.