This year we go on-air with the first online course on 'Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology'. The training is tailored for biotechnology scientists and aims at providing them with an understanding of risk assessment practices and legal architecture around GM crops in a European and African contexts.

What You Will Gain

The training is organized around international biosafety practices in plant biotechnology, with emphasis on the East African context. The course will cover the following topics:

• Molecular tools for genetic modification of plants: learn about the available technologies for GM crops development.
• International, European and African regulatory frameworks: understanding the legislative process, with a focus on the regulatory approaches of Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.
• Risk assessment of GM products: gain awareness on the potential impact of GM products on health and environment and link it to feed and food safety.
• Implementation of GM products in agriculture: gain insights on how to trace and monitor the use of biotechnology products.
• Stewardship: learn about how to handle and manage GM products once in the field.

Who should attend

We target participants from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda that are part of the International Molecular Laboratory Training Programme (MOBILAB) partner universities or PLANT B+B Network.

Important Details

• Course Duration: Seven sessions, from September 16 2024, to October 29 2024. The course includes a final evaluation session on November 18 2024.
• Timing: 2h-2h30 hours every week at 1:00 - 3:30 PM Central European Time.
• Format: Online sessions via ZOOM.
• Registration deadline: Sunday 11th of August at midnight (Central European Time).
• Notification of the results of the selection: Monday 26th of August.

Cancellation policy

The organizers expect the participant to be present if she/he has registered for a course also if this course takes place online. If you cannot attend, you must inform IPBO@vib-ugent.be at least one week before the course.

If participants do not show up without timely notification or valid justification (medical attestation in case of illness, a clarification by your group leader in any other case), you will not be admitted to any future training course through MoBiLab and Plant B+B for six months following the no-show.