Ministry of education and Qatar Foundation collaborate in the area of Genomics and Precision Medicine

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Based on the strong cooperation and fruitful partnership between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar Foundation, secondary schools' biology teachers in the Ministry participated in a series of workshops entitled “Precision Medicine and Genomics" held by “Qatar Genome", member of Qatar Foundation, with the aim of increasing teachers' knowledge of sciences related to precision medicine, especially since Qatar is one of the world's leading countries in this field.

 The participants were briefed on the latest specializations that stem from Precision Medicine, including genetic counseling, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, and other related fields.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education in Qatar has given special attention to the issue of Genomics by presenting the concept of the human genomes in Biology curriculum at the secondary school stage, in addition to including some simple concepts in the primary and preparatory stages. The curricula also included a description of the most important techniques used in genetic engineering and Genomics; With the aims of introducing students to the importance of Genomics and encouraging them to study Medicine, medical genetic counseling, genetic engineering, and other related fields; To supply the Qatari labor market with qualified competencies and expertise.

Dr. Said Ismail, the Director of Qatar Genome, said: “The advancement of precision medicine requires various disciplines, and I am confident that the next generation is really interested in engaging in the modern sciences that qualify them to be at the forefront of scientific progress. The teachers have always been the most important influencers in shaping and guiding the thinking of their students, and the ministry's teachers are highly professional and aware of modern yet advanced trends in this regard.

Mr. Mohamed Rashid from Aljmailia School for Boys commented on the fruitful benefit that the ministry's teachers received from these workshops, saying, "I was honored to attend the distinguished training workshop. It reinforced the concepts of Genetics known to teachers, and we were impressed by the efforts made in “Qatar Genome", which works on drawing the genetic map for the population of Qatar, with the goal of determining and providing professional health care for each patient."

Another participant, Ms. Asmaa Sami from Al-Resala Secondary School for girls mentioned some of the gains of attending the workshop: “The panel discussion was characterized by introducing the teachers to “Qatar Genome" program, which aims to spread awareness of the importance and benefits of biobanking and genomic sciences.

She added : "The teachers hope that a series of educational tours will be organized for secondary school students to raise the level of awareness, especially at school, about the vital role of Genomics and Precision Medicine".

Dima Darwish, Head of scientific education at “Qatar Genome", explained some of Qatar efforts in this field, saying: " Genomics has become the hot topic nowadays, and the State of Qatar's contribution in this area has been notable and pioneering in the recent years. Many peer-reviewed scientific journals have published research papers on Genomics and Precision Medicine", and she added: "We need the next generation of specialists to work on Precision Medicine in Qatar and the region, and this generation will benefit from the guidance and encouragement of their teachers, which will contribute to improving health care for Qatar population , as well as other countries in the region".

It is worth noting that 66 secondary school teachers attended the first session of the Genomics and Precision Medicine workshops, and the planning of the second session for middle school teachers is already in progress.​

Source: Ministry of Education