Biosafety Authority, MMUST partners to train modern biotechnology courses

OUMA WANZALA-PCO

National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has embarked on an exercise to come up with collaborative and partnership agreement in training of students undertaking modern biotechnology related courses.

In a meeting held in Nairobi, NBA team led by Ag. Chief Executive Officer Mr.Nehemiah Ng’etich and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology acting Deputy Vice -Chancellor for Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Danston Lilechi, agreed to come up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by end of March underscoring the critical role the two institutions play in the development of modern biotechnologies.

The deal will benefit among other students undertaking Bachelor of Science programmes in Biosafety and Biosecurity which is designed to meet the growing demand for qualified biosafety and biosecurity professionals to support national and global health preparedness and response.

“We welcome this partnership and collaboration that will go a long way in supporting researchers and students undertaking courses in modern biotechnologies for the benefit of farmers and the general public across the country,”Mr. Nehemiah said.

Prof. Lilechi commended the Authority for undertaking its mandate effectively in exercising general supervision on GMO for protection of human, animal health and environment.

Among the possible areas of collaborations that were identified during the meeting included joint access and use of laboratory facilities and equipment, joint undertaking of research, surveys, consultancy publications public and public activities, curriculum development, and review on biotechnology, biosafety and emerging technologies, joint grant proposal writing and sourcing for funding among others.

The institution joins a list of various partners among them Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenyatta University and International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) that the Authority is working with as the regulator of Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the Country.

The report noted that majority of the institutions of higher learning institutions were training scientists in modern biotechnology without integration of modern biosafety matters.