Project Title: Online Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Master's Program
Project Number: 617303-EPP-1-2020-1-EG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP
Funding agency: The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Submitted to the Call: Erasmus+ KA2 (Capacity Building in Higher Education)
Project Coordinator Institution: Alexandria University
Duration of the Project: 3 Years
Starting Date: November 15th,2021
Introduction:
Welcome to the Online Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (OPPM) Master's Program, an innovative program co-funded by the Erasmus+ Program and offered by the faculty of Health Sciences and the faculty of Pharmacy. This page is dedicated to providing comprehensive information about the OPPM program, its curriculum, admission criteria, and the broader objectives that it seeks to fulfill in the realm of personalized medicine.
About the Program:
The OPPM program is designed to equip future pharmacists with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute effectively to the healthcare sector, particularly in the domain of personalized medicine. The program is a collaboration among leading academic institutions and is a testament to our commitment to advancing pharmacogenomic education and research.
In Egypt and Lebanon, there are only a limited number of educational programs that employ hybrid teaching methods, blending information technology and virtual laboratories. These innovative learning initiatives are intended to enhance the educational experience and expand its reach beyond the borders of Egypt and Lebanon, making it accessible to a broader audience. The curriculum encompasses a combination of hybrid and traditional classroom-based courses, including both physical laboratories as well as E-laboratories that simulate experiments normally requiring costly equipment. This accredited program marks an important stride towards broadening the scope of advanced education in Egypt and Lebanon.
Program Objectives:
- To provide a state-of-the-art curriculum that bridges the gap between genetics, genomics, and clinical practice.
- To foster a deeper understanding of the principles and applications of pharmacogenomics.
- To empower healthcare professionals with the tools to implement personalized medicine approaches in their practice.
Project Link:
For detailed information about the program and our consortium partners, please visit: https://oppmprogram.com/.
Curriculum and Modules:
The program includes comprehensive modules on topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Human Genetics
- Clinical Pharmacogenomics
- Data Analysis in Genomics
- Ethical and Legal Aspects of Personalized Medicine
The Detailed curriculum and module descriptions can be found: https://oppmprogram.com/.
Admission Criteria:
All the admission criteria can be found at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University: pharmacy@bau.edu.lb.
Inauguration of the Molecular Testing Laboratory:
With generous funding of 40,000 euros provided by the grant, supplemented by an additional 10,000 euros contributed by our consortium, we have established a state-of-the-art Molecular Testing Laboratory specifically for the OPPM program. This new facility enhances our research and teaching capabilities, providing students and faculty with access to cutting-edge technologies for genomic analysis. We celebrated the inauguration of this laboratory during our first dissemination event on October 16, 2023.
Dissemination Events:
First Event:
The Beirut Arab University has organized a first launching event of the new joint program, Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, in the presence of various stakeholders, Academic staff members, and Senior students. This event took place on October 16, 2023.
Upcoming Events:
Join us at our next dissemination event on September 23rd, 2024, which will showcase the program's achievements and future directions. Our inaugural event was successfully held on October 16th, 2023, at Ali Rashed Hall, Beirut Campus, at Beirut Arab University, where we also marked the opening of the Molecular Testing Laboratory, which was funded by this grant (Erasmus+ OPPM grant).
European Union Support:
This program is proudly co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and international collaboration. The EU emblem is a mark of quality and assurance in educational endeavors.
Contact Information:
For more information about the OPPM program and the Molecular Testing Laboratory, please contact the BAU team leader:
Dr. Said El Shamieh, PhD. s.elshamieh@bau.edu.lb
Associate Professor of Human Genetics
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Beirut Arab University