The EMROWHO Regional Consultation on a Proposed Postgraduate Training in Medical Entomology and Vect

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The EMRO/WHO Regional Consultation on a Proposed
Postgraduate Training in Medical Entomology and
Vector Control

• Prof. Adel M. Gad
• Ain Shams University
• Cairo, Egypt
• August 29-30, 2006

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Ain Shams University Faculty of Science
Department of Entomology

• Undergarduate and Postgarduate Degrees Awarded
• B.Sc. 4 disciplines (Entomology Major,
  Entomology-Chemistry, Entomology-Biochemistry,
  Entomology-Microbiology)
• Diploma 2 disciplines (Medical Entomology and
  Applied Entomology)
• M.Sc. 4 disciplines (Disease Vectors, Insect
  Physiology. Insect Taxonomy, Toxicology)
• Ph.D. Various (Disease Vectors and Control,
  Agricultural Pests, Beneficial and Social
  Insects)

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Registration Requirements for Enrollment

• 1. Diploma in Medical Entomology
• A university degree from Faculties of Science,
  Medicine, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and
  High Institute of Public Health.
• 2. M.Sc. in Entomology
• A bachelor degree in science from an Egyptian
• University or an equivalent degree from an
  institution accredited by Ain Shams University.

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1. Diploma in Medical Entomology
A. Syllabus of Courses

• Ent 521. BIOLOGY AND ECOLGY OF DISEASE VECTORS
• Ent 521-1 BASIC MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY AND VECTOR
  BIOLOGY 
• Ent 521-1-P PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES IN VECTOR
  BIOLOGY 
• Ent 521- 2 EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND
  BIOSYSTEMATICS 
• Ent 522. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
  
• Ent 522-1. CAUSATIVE ORGANISMS ENTOMOLOGY  
• Ent 522-2 VECTOR-PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS  
• Ent 522-3. VECTOR SAMPLING AND INCRIM1NATION  
• Ent 523. PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF VECTOR
  CONTROL OPERATIONS, BIOSTATISTICS AND
  COMPUTER SCIENCE.
• Ent-523-1. METHODS OF VECTOR CONTROL  
• Ent523-2. POPULATION VECTOR BIOLOGY AND CONTROL 
• Ent 523-3. BIOSTATISTICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

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1. Diploma in Medical Entomology
B. Duration and Assessment

• Duration One academic year
• Assessment
• Class activities
• Field activities
• Final practical exam
• Final written exam
• (A minimum of 65 in each module is required to
  pass).

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2. M.Sc. in Disease Vectors
A. Syllabus of Courses

• Ent. 611 Population Genetics and Evolution
• Ent. 612 Natural Communities of Insects
• Ent. 613 Molecular Biology
• Ent. 614 Insect Biochemistry
• Ent. 615 Pollution of the Environment
• Ent. 616 Biostatistics and Computer Science
• Ent. 651 Insects of Medical and Veterinary
  Importance
• Ent. 652 Insect Transmission of Phytopathogens
• Ent. 653 Insect Microbiology
• Ent. 654 Parasitology and Immunology

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2. M.Sc. in Disease Vectors
B. Duration and Assessment

• Duration
• One academic year of taught courses.
• Research project (minimum one year).
• Assessment
• Final written exam.
• (65 pass grade in each module).
• Thesis Viva A written thesis submitted for
  examination by two external examiners

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Ain Shams University Research and Training Centre
on Vectors of Diseases (RTC)

• A leading centre of research and training on
  vectors of diseases in Egypt and the Region.
• A WHO-collaborating center.
• Conducting multidisciplinary research projects
• Implementing training programs on vector biology
  and control for participants from the WHO Eastern
  Mediterranean Region.
• Extensive field research on disease vectors all
  over Egypt.
• Scientific collaboration with the MOHP, Egypt
• Bilingual-speaking staff.

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RTC Structure
Divisions
Sand Flies
Mosquitoes
Ticks and mites

• Arboviruses
• Filariasis
• Malaria

Rickettsial diseases
Leishmaniasis
Supported by
Unit of Epidemiology
Unit of biotechnology
Epidemiological studies and data analysis

• Serological and immunological diagnosis
• Molecular diagnosis

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Research and Training Resources

• Academic, technical, supporting staff 54
• Research laboratories 11
• Walk-in insectaries 14
• Animal facilities 3
• Library and conference room
• Transportation (vehicles) 6
• Fast internet connections and computers

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Research Projects
Training Courses 21 Local (gt300 trainees) 8
WHO/EMRO-Supported (58 trainees)
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Research Outcome
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Proposed M.Sc. in Medical Entomology and Vector
Control

• Proposed degree International MSc in Medical
  Entomology and Vector Control
• Awarding Institution Ain Shams University
• Program Venue RTC
• Program Organizer Participating Institutions
• Funding
• WHO-EMRO-RBM...!!!?
• Others..!!!?

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Proposed Institutions to Conduct the M.Sc. Program
ED
RTC
IESR
IESR Institute of Environmental Studies and
Research-ASU
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Proposed Degree Format I

• Structure
• Taught courses
• Laboratory and field training
• Research project
• Credit units (to be discussed)
• Duration Two years
• Assessment
• Final written exam
• (65 is required to pass in each module)
• Thesis viva A written thesis submitted for
  examination by two external examiners

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Proposed Degree Format II
Course contents Core and supporting modules

• Core Modules
• C1. Vector Biology and Ecology
• C2. Biology of Vector-Borne Pathogens
• C3. Molecular Biology of Vectors and Vector-Borne
  Pathogens
• C4. Vector Control

• Supporting Modules
• S1. Computer science and Biostatistics
• S2. Bioethics
• S3. How to write and present scientific research

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Why ASU..!?

• Extensive experience in conducting research and
  training programs on disease vectors.
• National and international scientific
  collaborations.
• Excellent bilingual (Arabic-English) teaching and
  communications. Most suitable for students
  belonging to 19 out of 22 EMR countries.
• Easy access to natural habitats of disease
  vectors.
• Relatively low costs of studying and living in
  Cairo.

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Obstacles..!!!

• Administration
• Enrollment in MSc programme requires BSc in
  Entomology.
• Taught MSc courses do not fulfill the approaches
  to tackle
• major vector borne disease problems at
  national and global level.
• Finance
• Shortage of funds to cover
• Training new generation of national technicians
  and students.
• Maintenance and upgrading of research and
  training facilities.
• Visits of international experts

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Thank You