KAZNU NAMED AFTER AL-FARABI TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DEFICIENCY OF SPECIALISTS - VIRUSOLOGISTS

Al-Farabi KazNU, together with the Scientific Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems, will train virologists for Master's and PhD doctoral programs.

The parties agreed on this during a meeting between the Chairman of the Board - Rector of the country's leading university Zh. K. Tuimebayev and Director General of the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems KD Zakarya, having signed a cooperation agreement.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has experienced a shortage of personnel in the field of epidemiology and virology. The country's leading university responded to this urgent request of society by developing a joint educational project with the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems to train highly qualified specialists in the field of virology for the educational program of Master's and PhD doctoral studies.

To discuss important issues of cooperation, the Chairman of the Board - Rector of KazNU named after Al-Farabi Zh. K. Tuimebayev and General Director of the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems KD Zakarya met. During the meeting, an agreement on cooperation was signed, which determined the direction of further work within the framework of this project.

According to this document, for the first time in Kazakhstan, specialists-virologists will be trained on the basis of the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of KazNU and the BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories of the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems.

By organizing training and professional practical classes, master classes and seminars, the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems is also considering the possibility of further employment of graduates, as well as internships, advanced training courses for employees in the field of virology, biology and biotechnology.

In addition, within the framework of cooperation, it is planned, through joint efforts of KazNU and research institutes, to hold round tables, seminars, meetings on the issues of synchronizing the requirements of the labor market and education, increasing the level of competitiveness of young personnel.

The Research Institute for Biosafety Issues has more than 60 years of history. The Institute is engaged in the development of means and methods for detecting threats, assessing biological safety and manufacturing diagnostic and prophylactic drugs, including those against dangerous and highly dangerous viral diseases of humans, animals and birds. It has accumulated vast experience in the field of biological safety, biotechnology, virology, microbiology, immunology.

Scientists of the Institute have developed and introduced more than 60 names of drugs, including 30 vaccines, 16 test systems and more than 15 different biological products. 27 million doses of vaccines are produced annually. Currently, the Scientific Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems (Otar, Zhambyl region), together with the National Center for Biotechnology, have begun to develop a vaccine against coronavirus infection.

In addition, next year, the head of the Department of Biotechnology A. S. Kistaubaeva plans to open a double degree program in virology. (magistracy and doctoral studies). There is a preliminary agreement with the University of Paris Saclay, within the framework of the double degree program, students will study for 2 semesters in the best laboratories of the University of Paris.

Press service of Al-Farabi KazNU

For more information:

Kistaubaeva Aida Serikovna

e-mail: Aida_Kistaubaeva@kaznu.kz

tel: 8 (727) 377-33-33 ext: 1211