It seems like only yesterday that, together with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Brno University of Technology, we began shaping the concept, content and teaching methodology for a comprehensive one-week course on the Manufacturing Technology of Investment Casting. Today, we are preparing for the 4th edition, which will commence on 6 September.

This is an excellent opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution of Professor Milan Horáček, Dr. Antonín Zadera and Professor Vladimír Krutiš, whose visionary approach, flexibility and passion for investment casting have made this programme a continued success. Their commitment has enabled each edition to evolve, attracting greater interest than ever while embracing a philosophy of continuous improvement, incorporating the lessons learned from previous editions to further enhance the quality and value of the course.

The success of this programme would not be possible without the continued support of the EICF member companies. Their contribution extends far beyond placing their trust in the course by sending their engineers and technical personnel to participate. As other members also make a direct contribution by providing highly experienced industry experts who join the faculty as lecturers, sharing first-hand industrial knowledge and best practices. In addition, several companies supply materials that are used during the practical sessions, allowing participants to complement the theoretical lectures with hands-on experience. The course has therefore become much more than a university programme; it is a genuine collaborative initiative in which academia and industry work together under the umbrella of the EICF to educate and inspire the next generation of investment casting professionals.