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SABP Webinar Series: Biosafety in Biotechnology Research and Development in Bangladesh

    June 10, 2021
    7:15 pm - 8:40 pm
    (Virtual)
    Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Video

Background

Starting in the mid-1990s, universities and research institutes in Bangladesh have been developing genetically engineered (GE) crops to ensure the country’s food security by combating climate change, pests, and diseases. To encourage the safe use of modern biotechnology for humans, animals, and the environment, the Government of Bangladesh has developed a biosafety regime, taking into consideration global conventions and protocols. This biosafety system requires all GE crops to go through safety assessments prior to reaching farmers and consumers. Since 2005, the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) has been working with the Government of Bangladesh to develop and implement biosafety regulations, manuals, and assessment guidelines. Capacity development is a crucial part of this biosafety regime, as it improves compliance by present and future researchers in the field of biotechnology.

About the Webinar Series

SABP is organizing a series of webinars in collaboration with various universities and research organizations in Bangladesh, including those outside of Dhaka, which aims to facilitate knowledge on biosafety among researchers and students of biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology, botany, and genetic engineering, both to help them navigate the biosafety system as researchers, and to expand the pool of interested scientists that can serve as resources to help inform the biosafety process. Prior to this webinar, nine webinars have been organized jointly with Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), National Institute of Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Rajshahi University, and Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU).

The second webinar in 2021 and the tenth webinar in the series, Biosafety in Biotechnology Research and Development in Bangladesh, took place on June 10, 2021 and was organized jointly with the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The online event facilitated discussion about the biosafety regulatory framework embedded within modern biotechnology research and development and the procedures that need to be followed when doing research. This webinar helped researchers better understand the regulatory system and equipped them with the information to effectively implement biosafety while advancing this research field and harnessing its benefits.

Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Director (Training & Planning), BINA chaired the event. Dr. Mirza Mofazzal Islam, Honorable Director General, BINA graced the webinar as the Chief Guest, with Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Director (Administration and Support Service), BINA and Dr. Md. Abdul Malek, Director (Research), BINA serving as the special guests. Dr. Sakina Khanam, Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, BINA delivered the Welcome Address and moderated the discussion session.

The keynote lectures were presented by Dr. Andrew F. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI) and Prof. Dr. Aparna Islam, Brac University.

Speakers

Dr. Sakina Khanam
Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, BINA
Dr. Md. Abdul Malek
Director (Research), BINA
Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad
Director (Administration and Support Service), BINA
Dr. Mirza Mofazzal Islam
Director General, BINA
Dr. Andrew F. Roberts
Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI)
Dr. Aparna Islam
Professor, Biotechnology Program, Brac University
Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam
Director (Training & Planning), BINA

Agenda

7:15 pm

Welcome Address

Dr. Sakina Khanam, Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, BINA

7:20 pm

Speech by the Special Guest

Dr. Md. Abdul Malek, Director (Research), BINA

7:25 pm

Speech by the Special Guest

Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Director (Administration and Support Service), BINA

7:30 pm

Speech by the Chief Guest and Opening of the Event

Dr. Mirza Mofazzal Islam, Director General, BINA

7:40 pm

Keynote Lecture 1 - History and Context of Genetically Engineered Plants and Biosafety

Dr. Andrew F. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI)

8:00 pm

Keynote Lecture 2 - Biotechnology and Biosafety: Research and Development in Bangladesh

Dr. Aparna Islam, Professor, Biotechnology Program, Brac University

8:20 pm

Open Discussion

Dr. Sakina Khanam, Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Division, BINA (Facilitator)

8:35 pm

Speech by the Chair of the Event and Closing of the Event

Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Director (Training & Planning), BINA

8:40 pm

Adjourn

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