Concluding Session of the Institutional Biosafety Officer Training Program

The Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh, under the auspices of the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), conducted a series of workshops targeting Institutional Biosafety Officers (IBOs) and Committees (IBCs) at research institutions engaged in biotechnology research and development in Bangladesh. The purpose of this by-invitation-only workshop series was to ensure that institutions in Bangladesh are aware of their obligations under the biosafety regulatory system and are empowered to work with researchers to meet these obligations while continuing their research.

The introductory workshop was held on December 2, 2021, and the discussion on biosafety compliance while working with genetically engineered organisms continued during the second workshop. The third workshop focused on capacity building exercises for IBOs and IBCs, covering additional topics, including the development of standard operating procedures for greenhouse work, key considerations for containment of GE crops, and key components for record keeping, handling, storage, transfer, shipment, and disposal of GM plant material. The fourth workshop centered around confined field trials (CFTs), with discussions about planning a CFT, key considerations while conducting a CFT, requirements for risk assessment and risk management in the context of CFTs for GE plants, and understanding the requirements and application process for conducting a CFT in Bangladesh. The fifth training session was dedicated to understanding regulatory submissions, writing meaningful dossiers, and the process of submission to regulatory authorities. The concluding session took place on February 25, 2023 to recognize those who completed the entire training program, as well as participants who attended some of the sessions.

The Following Individuals Completed the IBO Training Program:

• Mr. A. B. M. Zahidul Hoque, Senior Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI)
• Dr. Mahmuda Khatun, Principal Scientific Officer, Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
• Dr. Md. Abdul Kader, Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
• Dr. Md. Fakhre Alam Ibne Tabib, Additional Director, Cotton Development Board (CDB)
• Dr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)
• Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)
• Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer, Genetic Research and Seed Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI)
• Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Senior Scientific Officer, Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
• Dr. Mohammad Nurul Islam, Professor, Department of Botany, University of Dhaka

The Following Individuals Participated in the IBO Training Program:

• Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Shohael, Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University (JU)
• Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Chief Scientific Officer, Crops Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)
• Dr. Md. Hasanuzzaman Rony, Senior Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)
• Dr. Md. Imtiaz Uddin, Chief Scientific Officer & Head, Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)
• Dr. Md. Kamrul Islam, Senior Scientific Officer, Cotton Development Board (CDB)
• Dr. Rita Sarah Borna, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Dhaka
• Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Scientific Officer, Plant Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB)
• Dr. Shamima Nasrin, Senior Scientific Officer, Plant Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB)
• Dr. Shah Md. Monir Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer, Crops Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)
• Dr. Md. Enamul Hoque, Chief Scientific Officer & Head, Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
• Dr. Md. Monirul Islam, Senior Scientific Officer, Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)
• Mr. Tanvir Ahamed, Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University (JU)
• Ms. Milia Binte Momtaz, Cotton Development Officer, Cotton Development Board (CDB)
• Ms. Umme Sabrina Haque, Research Associate, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka