The vision of the MENA Biorisk Management Training Division is to establish a sustainable culture of biosafety and biosecurity in the MENA region. The Division aspires to become the primary training platform in the Middle East, with the ultimate aim of reducing biological threats and strengthening global health and security.

The MENA Biorisk Management Training Division has identified the following strategic objectives:

• Promote knowledge transfer and application of biorisk management policies for laboratories and practitioners across the region
• Enable the application of molecular detection techniques to the myriad of diagnostic practice, preventive epidemiology, and new biological threats facing Jordan and the MENA region.
• Continuous development and execution of biorisk management training courses for integration of safe and secure life science practices in the MENA region.
• Function as one technical platform to strengthen the partnerships between Jordan, MENA countries and the international community.

 

Courses

The center offering three levels of training in Biorisk management fields relaying on the GBMRC library:

1)       Basic module, examples on topics in this module including

1. Orientation to Biorisk Management
2. Biorisk Characterization & Evaluation
3. Biorisk Mitigation Strategies
4. Good Laboratory Practices
5. Personal Protective Equipment, Decontamination and Biological Waste Disposal

2)       Intermediate module, examples on topics in this module including

1. Introduction to Incident Management & Response
2. Developing, Evaluating, Validating, and Communicating Standard Operating Procedures
3. Hazard & Risk Communication in the Laboratory
4. Laboratory Biosecurity
5. Shipping Infectious Substances and Biological Specimens

3)       Advance module, examples on topics in this module including

1. Writing & Communicating Biorisk Management Policy
2. Developing, Conducting, and Maintaining a Hazard Inventory
3. Conducting Audits and inspections to Assess Biorisk Management Performance
4. Establishing Goals, Objectives, Roles, & Responsibilities in Biorisk Management
5. Bioethics
6. Introduction to Dual Use Research of Concern

 

The new building for MENA BRMTD is running since 2014. ​Funding and advisory efforts are attributed to collaborators from the USA, Canada and the UK. Special appreciation is kindly given to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Lab for their continuous role in development and training of our staff.