The retreat brought together CENTURI PhD & Postdocs, along with PIs Sham Tlili and Emily Gehrels, member of the organising committee for a mix of scientific exchange, skill-building, and outdoor adventure. Held in a scenic setting, the retreat was designed to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen the bonds within our academic community. Here’s a quick glimpse at the highlights from this year’s event:
Ice Breaking: Social Bingo and Graphical Abstracts
The retreat kicked off with a lively ice-breaking session. Participants mingled through Social Bingo, a fun way to discover shared interests and quirky facts about each other.
This was followed by a creative Graphical Abstract activity.
Microscopy Session
A hands-on microscopy workshop allowed attendees to explore the micro-world. Thanks to the Microscopy & Sampling session, organised by Sham Tlili and Soichi Hirokawa, participants examined biological samples, collect in the near by environment.
Debating Session
In the spirit of intellectual engagement, the retreat featured a debating session. Teams tackled debating topics, practicing persuasive argumentation and critical thinking. The debate not only sharpened communication skills but also encouraged participants to view debated issues from multiple perspectives.
Kayaking or Orienteering
To balance the scientific sessions, participants could choose between kayaking on the nearby Lac de Sainte-Croix or navigating an orienteering course through the surrounding hills. Both activities offered a chance to unwind, build teamwork, and enjoy the outdoors.
Astronomy Session
As night fell, the last day of the retreat concluded with an astronomy session under clear skies. Guided by experts from Bauduen Observatory, participants observed celestial objects through telescopes and learned about current topics in astrophysics.
The CENTURI Adminstrative dearly thanks all the Organising Committee, including PI’s Sham Tlili and Emily Gehrels, PhD & Postdocs Representatives Ahmad Awada, Alessandro Chiappori and Soichi Hirokawa.
