Erik Vladimir Simić, Young Standardization Ambassador at the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST), shares his experience of visiting the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), meeting experts and exchanging about young professionals in standardization.
During a recent visit to NSAI, Erik Vladimir Simić, Young Standardization Ambassador at SIST, presented the Young Ambassador for Standardization project from SIST. The project's aim is to raise awareness among young people about the importance of standards and encourage their involvement in the standardization process. The visit provided insight into NSAI's operations and allowed Erik to connect with key experts in the field.
At NSAI, Erik met Amanda-Jane Gainford, the head of standardization in electrical engineering, who provided an overview of her work and organized a tour. She introduced NSAI’s Emerging Professionals project, similar to SIST’s Young Ambassador initiative, which promotes the involvement of young professionals in shaping future standards. Amanda-Jane also invited Erik to participate in the Youth Professionals Workshop organized by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a prestigious opportunity for young professionals. She further introduced the European Young Engineers (EYE) project, which facilitates international collaboration among young engineers.
Erik also met Eoin McCabe, an information officer, who explained the financial side of NSAI’s operations, such as managing the sale of standards and certifications. Both Amanda-Jane and Eoin shared how NSAI experts give lectures at Irish universities, raising awareness about standardization and its economic impact.
Following the formal presentations, the discussions continued over lunch in a more informal setting. This allowed Erik to gain deeper insight into NSAI's internal culture and standardization practices. He was also invited to visit NSAI’s Metrology Laboratory, which promised to enhance his technical knowledge.
One key takeaway from this visit was the comparison between Slovenian and Irish standardization institutes. While SIST plays a critical role in Slovenia’s economy, its public visibility remains lower than that of NSAI, which benefits from strong ties with educational institutions and industry.
This visit underscored the importance of engaging young people in standardization early on, as projects like the Young Ambassador for Standardization help future professionals understand how standards enhance global competitiveness. By being involved, young people can become leaders in innovation grounded in high quality and safety standards.
Erik felt it was an honour to have the chance to represent SIST at NSAI, and he looks forward to future collaborations. The next visit might be to the Czech Republic, Malta, or even the CEN-CENELEC headquarters in Brussels. Wherever it is, Erik is sure it will bring valuable learning and new opportunities for international cooperation in this vital field.
