In an Academic Participation from the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), Al-Mustansiriyah University, and the Ministry of Health ,The Department of Biology at the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), in cooperation with the Iraqi Society of Microbiology, organized a specialized scientific training course entitled “Fundamentals of Laboratory Culture and Bacterial Diagnosis.” The five-day course was attended by postgraduate students from the Department of Biology at the College, as well as postgraduate students from Al-Mustansiriyah University.
The course aimed to develop participants’ scientific and practical competencies in microbiology and bacterial diagnosis and to strengthen their expertise in handling laboratory specimens and culture media, applying bacterial cultivation and identification techniques, conducting microscopic and biochemical examinations, performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and systematically recording laboratory findings and preparing scientific reports.
The lectures and practical training sessions were delivered by a group of academic staff from the Department of Biology at the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), faculty members from Al-Mustansiriyah University, and specialists from the Ministry of Health. Their participation contributed to delivering an integrated training program combining theoretical foundations, practical applications, and specialized laboratory expertise.
The scientific program consisted of five main training components. Day One focused on introducing different types of laboratory specimens, laboratory tools and equipment, and culture media, in addition to the fundamental principles of sterilization, laboratory safety, and specimen preservation.
Day Two addressed bacterial cultivation techniques using culture media, including practical training on the cultivation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Day Three focused on examining culture plates following incubation, determining the presence or absence of bacterial growth, identifying bacterial colonies and describing their morphological characteristics, as well as conducting microscopic and biochemical examinations.
Day Four was dedicated to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, while Day Five focused on recording and organizing laboratory results and preparing scientific reports in accordance with established laboratory and academic standards.
The opening day of the course was attended by Professor Dr. Firas Abdul-Hameed Abdul-Latif, Dean of the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham); Professor Dr. Hanadi Salim Abdul-Sahib, Head of the Department of Biology; and Professor Dr. Mohammed Faraj Shather, President of the Iraqi Society of Microbiology. They welcomed the participating lecturers and trainees and emphasized the importance of specialized training programs in developing the scientific and practical competencies of postgraduate students and strengthening their laboratory and research capabilities. They also highlighted the importance of continuing scientific and academic cooperation among educational, health, and specialized institutions.
The organization of this course reflects the commitment of the Department of Biology and the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham) to supporting applied education, developing postgraduate students’ practical skills, enhancing the quality of laboratory training, and expanding scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange among academic, research, and health institutions. These efforts contribute to advancing scientific research and strengthening laboratory practices in microbiology and bacterial diagnosis.
The course contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: By developing competencies related to bacterial diagnosis, laboratory testing, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, thereby supporting sound healthcare and laboratory practices.
SDG 4 – Quality Education: By providing postgraduate students with specialized scientific and practical training and strengthening their laboratory and research competencies, thereby contributing to the quality of higher education.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: By strengthening scientific cooperation among the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), the Iraqi Society of Microbiology, Al-Mustansiriyah University, and the Ministry of Health, while facilitating the exchange of specialized knowledge and expertise.
