The first academically accredited postgraduate biosafety course in the world is set to start at the University of Concepción (UDEC) in Chile this month.

The International Diploma of Biosafety, a 12-month distance-learning course run by the Biosafety International Network and Advisory Service (BINAS) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), is designed to give key professionals the skills to deal with complex issues surrounding the assessment and management of biological risks.

The course has been piloted at UDEC for the past two years.

Roger Hull, who studied plant viruses at the John Innes Centre before retiring in 1997 and being awarded an Emeritus fellowship, said: “This course is really important because it trains professionals in all aspects of biosafety and enables them to implement the biosafety regulatory structures in an informed manner.

“The programme lasts a full year so covers a more comprehensive range of subjects than previous training courses that only last one or two weeks. The combination of distance-learning and on-campus training sessions allows trainees to study flexibly whilst working full-time.”

For more information visit http://binas.unido.org/wiki

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