UNMC researchers led a three-day, in-person biosafety and security workshop earlier this winter in Cairo, Egypt, bringing together 25 scientists and researchers from 18 Egyptian universities and research centers for intensive training.
Workshop leaders from UNMC were Wael ElRayes, MBBCh, PhD, co-director of the UNMC Center for Global Health and Development and an associate professor in the UNMC College of Public Health, and Maha Farid, MBBCH, PhD, education researcher with the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators. Also leading the event was Ali Asy, PhD, professor of pharmacology and biosafety advisor at the Animal Health Research Institute with the Agriculture Research Center, Egypt.
Dr. ElRayes said the workshop marked a significant achievement in UNMC’s global health security efforts.
The event successfully concluded Phase I of the first national-level capacity-building program focused on Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) and the Responsible Use of Life Science Research.
“This pioneering initiative reflects UNMC’s ongoing commitment to global health security,” Dr. ElRayes said, “and positions Egypt as a regional leader in biosafety, biosecurity and responsible life science research practices.”
The capstone workshop represented the culmination of a comprehensive program that included 13 synchronous virtual sessions engaging 140 scientists and researchers from 38 institutions across Egypt.
It incorporated tabletop exercises, scenario-based learning and collaborative policy development. Recognizing the need for a sustainable and durable approach to integrating DURC principles and culture throughout academia and research centers, workshop leaders conducted a comprehensive session on the critical topic.
The session explored how to meaningfully embed DURC into higher education curriculum and faculty development programs, highlighting the interplay between innovation and responsibility and the role educators can play in driving safer, more ethically informed research practices.
One notable achievement was the creation of Egypt’s – and the Middle East’s – first-ever institutional DURC policy framework, the development of five academic DURC programs for implementation at participating institutions and the establishment of essential DURC oversight documents.
The event was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of State and sustained partnerships with Egyptian institutions, including Ain Shams University, U.S. universities and the World Health Organization.
“UNMC contributed to strengthening Egypt’s national health security infrastructure and fostering a culture of responsible scientific stewardship,” Dr. ElRayes said.
Fun to see Nebraska making such a difference around the world Dr. ElRayes! Congratulations on the good work.
Wow! Amazing work!