QCI launched the Prof. S.K. Joshi Laboratory Excellence Award todayvirtually amidst eminent dignitaries from Government & Industry.This is country’s first-of-its- kind LaboratoryExcellence Award. This Award has been instituted to promote Laboratory Quality and performance improvement in the country. The award has been incepted to ensure the laboratory’s commitment to achieve excellence in providing high precision testing and calibration services in line with the prevalent national/international quality systems legislations, including Health, Safety & Environment. This award will be open to all currently operational Laboratories pertaining to Testing, Calibration & Medical including their Proficiency Testing Providers & Reference Material Producers located in India.

Late Prof. S.K. Joshi was a luminary in the field of Science and Academica. Prof. Joshi made a significant contribution in improving scientific research in India by serving as President-INSA, DG-CSIR, Director-NPL and Chairman-NABL. Prof. Joshi was felicitated with Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, CV Raman Medal of INSA and several other prestigious awards.

Speaking on the occasionMr. AdilZainulbhai, Chairman, QCI, said, “The goal of this award is to locate India's best labs and to demonstrate to the rest of the world that our labs have the highest standards in the world”.

Dr. Ravi P. Singh, SG, QCI, said, “We've taken several little measures toward enhancing the quality of labs around the country, and QCI has endeavoured to honour Prof S K Joshi’s memories to celebrate excellence in lab ecosystem in the country.”.

 “Through its boards, QCI strives to improve the lives of ordinary residents by promoting quality and standards. It is also important to adopt the best quality system at every stage of life,” Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Kotnala, Chairman – NABLsaid. Dr. Shekhar C.Mande, Secretary - DSIR and DG – CSIR,expressed his happiness for this award being launched in honor of Prof. S.K Joshi, and said that in the future, more organizations will be inspired to improve their quality assurance and quality control.

Prof. (Dr.) Ranjana Aggarwal (Director - CSIR-NIScPR), remembered Prof. S.K Joshi as an excellent science communicator and leader who inspired a new generation of scientists and researchers to help India achieve worldwide success.

Mr. Sunil Mathur (Chairman-NBQP), said, “The Award commends the lab's commitment to achieving excellence by providing precision testing and calibration services that follow the national and international legislations”.

Other distinguished personalities who graced the occasion were; Prof. (Dr.) Venu Gopal Achanta (Director-NPL); Dr. B.K Rao (Chairman – NABH); Mr. Girish Krishnamurthy (CEO & MD-Tata Medical &Diagnostics Ltd.).

There are three Trophies (Gold, Silver, Bronze) in each categoryof Laboratory (Testing, Medical and Calibration) accompanied with cash award. The 5 stages of assessment by Technical Expert Committee (TEC) are Application Document Evaluation, Physical/Virtual Presentation, Site Assessment/Verification, Reference check and Jury evaluation.

There is no Application Feesfor this Award. For Application Form, Award Criteria& other details, please visit www.labexcellenceaward.qcin.org

Laboratory Excellence Award launched to recognise labs meeting national and international quality and safety standards. Launch of a national Laboratory Excellence Award named for Prof. S.K. Joshi to promote and recognise laboratories, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers in India that demonstrate commitment to national and international quality systems including health, safety and environment. Eligible currently operational testing, calibration and medical laboratories are assessed in separate categories (Testing, Medical, Calibration) with Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies and cash awards. A five-stage Technical Expert Committee process-document evaluation, presentation, site assessment/verification, reference check and jury evaluation-applies. There is no application fee and applicants are directed to the award website for forms and criteria.