On 14 May 2024, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in collaboration with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, launched a Training Course on “Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).” The event commenced on May 14, 2024, and will continue through May 15, 2024, conducted via an online Zoom video conferencing platform.
Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Director of the Programs and Projects Department of the IOFS, delivered the welcoming remarks for the training. Additionally, Dr. Kalsoom Akhtar, Deputy Chief Scientist Director at NIBGE, and Dr. Nenden Octavarulia Shanty, Director of the Training and Technical Cooperation Department at SESRIC, welcomed the participants and gave opening remarks as well.
The Training Course brings together 57 experts and researchers to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in genetic engineering and GMOs within the realm of agriculture, representing almost 18 Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The first day of the course featured insightful presentations on general introduction of transgenics and cloning; agricultural biotechnology in Pakistan and success stories; and biotechnological advances in gene expression analyses. Additionally, topics such as the importance of transgenics, plant transformation, introducing and developing genes for important crop varieties, biotech traits, and agricultural biotechnology tools for crop improvement were covered.
Day two will delve into genome editing, GMO detection, and the pivotal role of GMOs in fostering food security and sustainability. Esteemed experts from of NIBGE and the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) will facilitate these discussions, promising enriching exchanges and valuable insights for all participants.
This Training Course serves as a testament to the commitment of the IOFS and its partners to fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building in vital areas of agricultural development. By convening experts and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, the IOFS aims to drive progress towards sustainable food security across the OIC member states.
