Technological University Hosts Ministerial Workshop on “Implementing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety and Security Standards in Government University Laboratories and Warehouses”

Under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, the Technological University hosted a training workshop titled “Implementing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear  Safety and Security Standards in Government University Laboratories and Warehouses.”

The workshop was organized by the Department of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety and Security within the Directorate of Research and Development at the Ministry of Higher Education and held in the Kindi Hall of the College of Electromechanical Engineering.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Scientific Affairs, Prof. Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahad; the President of the Technological University, Prof. Dr. Mohsen Nouri Hamza; his administrative and scientific deputies; the Director of the Directorate of Research and Development, Prof. Dr. Lubna Khamis Mahdi; and the Director General of the National Center for Joint Planning at the National Security Advisory, Dr. Ali Abdulaziz Al-Yasiri. Also present were vice presidents of various Iraqi universities and deans from within and outside the Technological University.

The workshop began with recitations from the Holy Quran and Al-Fatiha in memory of Iraq’s martyrs. Dr. Haider Abed Dhahad emphasized the importance of chemical and biological security and the Ministry’s efforts in overcoming related challenges. Dr. Lubna Khamis Mahdi highlighted that universities are not only educational institutions but also laboratories using hazardous materials daily, necessitating a comprehensive CBRN risk management system.

Subsequent sessions featured several important papers. Dr. Lubna Khamis presented on the structure of the Research and Development Directorate in relation to the CBRN file and its achievements in 2023–2024, including 210 activities ranging from workshops and awareness campaigns to documentaries. Dr. Ali Al-Yasiri discussed key challenges in handling CBRN materials, including terrorism, illegal migration, potential smuggling of hazardous materials, and the risk of terrorists acquiring such substances due to weak security measures.

He also addressed the threat of ISIS using gases against civilians and modifying missiles to carry chemical weapons, along with the lack of equipment for national civil and military response teams.

Other presentations included:A briefing by L. Amer Jasib on collaboration mechanisms between the National Authority for Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Control and the Ministry of Higher Education.A presentation by Dr. Mohammed Abdulsalam on the disposal of expired chemical/biological substances and lab waste.A talk by Brigadier Physicist Ali Shallal on the cooperation framework between the Ministry of Higher Education and the Iraqi National Security Agency in the field of CBRN safety.

The first day concluded with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Baqir Abdul Zahra on the role of the Supreme Management Committee (SMC) and future plans for CBRN development programs and projects.
At the end of the session, the Director of the National Center for Joint Planning presented honorary shields to the Deputy Minister for Scientific Affairs and the President of the Technological University.

The workshop will continue on Wednesday with six additional lectures scheduled in the same venue.