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We are back again for another edition of the Summer School on Quality and Organizational Excellence, this time focusing on the topic "Quality and Sustainability: a symbiotic relationship". Our main goal is to bring together people from across the globe to share knowledge and engage in discussions on Quality and Sustainability. The Summer School promotes more than 20 hours of contact, across which you will have the opportunity to learn, exchange experiences and insights and connect with like-minded colleagues who are passionate about Quality. The 2025 edition program includes master classes covering different topics exploring the intersection of Quality and Sustainability, company tours, and free time to visit the historical city of Guimarães, birthplace of Portugal. Looking forward to see you in Guimarães next July!

Paulo Sampaio, Chair

André M. Carvalho, Co-Chair

Pedro Domingues, Co-Chair

Sofia B. Pereira, Co-Chair

What can you expect from us?
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Well-balanced program
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Featuring lectures


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Practical assignments
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Examples of best practices
in Quality and Sustainability


A team dedicated to create the best experience, where knowledge, networking and fun are brought together for improved learning results.

What do we expect from you?


Your drive and motivation not only to learn and deepen your understanding of Quality and Sustainability, but also to share it. The background of each student will be a vital piece for an improved learning experience, with all participants having the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences regarding Quality.



Important Dates
  • May 15

    Application deadline

  • May 25

    Acceptance notification

  • June 15

    Registration fee payment deadline

  • July 2-4

    Summer
    School

Program



Our Schedule




Master Classes

Master Class 1
The Intricate Relationship between Quality and Sustainability
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Willy Vandenbrande (bio)

QS Consult, Belgium
Chair of the Quality in Planet Earth Concerns Think Tank, International
Academy for Quality




Master Class 2
Material Flow Analysis for Sustainable Production
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Paula Varandas Ferreira (bio)

Department of Production and Systems
School of Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal
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Marcela Leonardo Jorio (bio)

ALGORITMI Research Centre
University of Minho, Portugal




Master Class 3
Towards Zero-Defect and Zero-Waste (ZD/ZW) Manufacturing: a symbiosis of Quality Management & Application of Automation
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Radu Godina (bio)

NOVA School of Science and Technology
FCT NOVA, NOVA University, Lisbon, Portugal
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Victor Azamfirei Ionita (bio)

CATEC − Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies
Sevilla, Spain
Tours
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Visit Guimarães

Located in northern Portugal, the historic city of Guimarães, often referred to as the birthplace of Portugal, is situated within the Minho region. This region borders Galicia (Spain) to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. With a population of over 1.1 million inhabitants, the region is often associated with the green of its natural scenery, where water is abundant. Minho is also typically characterized by a mountainous terrain of great beauty and biodiversity, which gradually becomes smoother as one reaches the river valleys and the countless beaches along the coastline. At present, the geographic area of the Minho region amounts to 4,700 km². The unique traditional landscape, marked by small fields, vineyards and corn fields, villages with granite structures and manor houses bring another dimension to the description of the region, together with the typical Minho hospitality, rich culinary tradition and vibrant customs, celebrations and popular festivals.

Guimarães is a Portuguese city located in the District of Braga, in the North region and the sub region of Ave (one of the most industrialized sub regions in the country). Its population of 52,182 inhabitants takes up an urban area of 23.5 km², with 20 parishes and a population density of 2,223.9 inhabitants/km². It is the seat of a municipality with an area of 242.85 km² and 162,572 inhabitants (2006). It is divided into 69 parishes with the majority of the population living in the city and on its outskirts. Guimarães borders on the municipality of Póvoa de Lanhoso in the north, Fafe in the east, Felgueiras, Vizela and Santo Tirso in the south, Vila Nova de Famalicão in the west and Braga in the northwest.

The historic city of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity (12th century). Holding the title of World Heritage from UNESCO, it consists of an exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern city, its rich building typology exemplifies the specific development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century through the consistent use of traditional building materials and techniques. With a strong Cultural activity, Guimarães was the European Capital of Culture in 2012.



Places to visit in Guimarães:
− Castelo de Guimarães − Colina Sagrada
− Paços dos Duques de Bragança − Colina Sagrada
− Capela de S.Miguel − Colina Sagrada
− Muralha da Cidade − Avenida Alberto Sampaio
− Antigos Paços do Concelho − Largo da Oliveira
− Padrão do Salado − Largo da Oliveira
− Igreja da Oliveira − Largo da Oliveira
− Santuário da Penha − Penha Guimarães
− Museu Alberto Sampaio − Rua Alfredo Guimarães
− Museu Martins Sarmento − Rua Paio Galvão
− Centro Cultural Vila Flor − Av. D. Afonso Henriques
− Largo da Oliveira
− Largo do Toural
− Praça de Santiago
More information at https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/

Application



Admission requirements

The Summer School on Quality and Organizational Excellence is an advanced program in the Quality field. Applications are open to individuals who have a background or interest in the Quality field:

− Professionals;
− Master students;
− PhD students;
− Post-doc researchers.

As English is the official language of the Summer School, it is important that participants are fluent in English.



Applications

Applications for the Summer School on Quality and Organizational Excellence 2025 will be accepted until May 15, 2025. Applicants are required to submit a one-page short bio via email to ssqoe@dps.uminho.pt. All applications will be reviewed, and acceptance notices will be sent by email no later than May 25, 2025. Participation in the Summer School is contingent upon full payment of the fee via bank transfer by or before June 15, 2025.



Payment

Summer School Fee: 500€

Payment can be made by bank transfer after the application acceptance (IBAN: PT50 0033 0000 00221479810 05; SWIFT/BIC: BCOMPTPL ).

Registration fee payment deadline: June 15, 2025.

The fee includes: attendance at all classes, industrial visits, companies tours, study materials, lunches, coffee-breaks and the social program. Accommodation is not included in the Summer School Fee.

A 15% discount applies to the 2nd registration from within the same company. A 25% discount applies to the 3rd registration onwards, from within the same organization.



Cancellation policy

The Summer School Organizing Committee should be notified by e-mail if you wish to cancel your participation.

Cancellations made by June 15, 2025: refund of 50% of the registration fee

Cancellations made after June 15, 2025: no refund



Certificate

By the end of the Summer School all students will receive a Certificate of Attendance with information on the topics covered and the total attendance hours.

Travel Information



Airport

The closest airport to the city of Guimarães is the Sá Carneiro Airport in Oporto, about 50 km away. From this point, you have a shuttle bus. Schedules available at www.getbus.eu or at www.flixbus.pt.

Summer School Location
University of Minho − School of Engineering
Campus Azurém
4804-533 Guimarães − Portugal

Useful information − Campus map

Venue


University of Minho

Founded in 1973, the University of Minho welcomed its first students in the academic year of 1975/76. At present, the University is renowned for its competence and quality of teaching staff, excellence in scientific research, wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses offered and for its high level of interaction with other institutions. For these reasons, UMinho has a central role in the region and is an important reference for the country and a recognised partner in the European and global scene. Located in the north of Portugal, the University has a campus in Braga and two others in Guimarães, Azurém Campus and Couros Campus.

Originating from the ancient Roman town of Bracara Augusta, Braga is currently the third largest city in Portugal. Guimarães is known as the "cradle of the nation" and is classified as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The University's organisational structure is flexible and conducive to innovation and interdisciplinary research on emerging topics. The teaching and research courses and the Schools and the Institutes are the basic structure of the University: Schools of Architecture, Sciences, Health Sciences, Law, Economics and Management, Engineering, Psychology, Nursing, and the Institutes of Social Sciences, Education and Arts and Human Sciences.

The courses and research projects have a strong international reputation. UMinho is a targeted research university, committed to the value chain of knowledge, in other words: Research, Development and Innovation. It also points to the socio-economic environment, with many successful partnerships in research, cultural and socio- economic development projects.

The courses and research projects have a strong international reputation. UMinho is a targeted research university, committed to the value chain of knowledge, in other words: Research, Development and Innovation. It also points to the socio-economic environment, with many successful partnerships in research, cultural and socio- economic development projects.

Internationalisation is a priority for UMinho, and, as such, it is a core transversal element of its Mission & Strategic Plan. Having recognised that internationalisation is a key element to obtain and maintain a high quality level of its projects concerning education, research and interaction with society, and to promote the Institution in a growing competitive academic world, UMinho has been making considerable effort to consolidate its international dimension and have a meaningful volume of international work in many categories which reinforce and complement each other, fostering institutional cohesion, sustainability and aiming at attaining greater impact.

More information in www.uminho.pt

Partners



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Institutional support
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Past Editions

Edition 2023

Edition 2024

Edition 2019

Edition 2024

Edition 2017

Edition 2024

Contacts

Paulo Sampaio
University of Minho − School of Engineering
Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

ssqoe@dps.uminho.pt