**OIC-COMSTECH and ACE-B Launch Major Genome Data Analysis Workshop in Mali**
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), together with the African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Science (ACE-B) and MD-BIONET, has inaugurated an international workshop in Bamako, Mali, aimed at strengthening expertise in genome data analysis for genetic and infectious diseases.
The training, titled “Bioinformatics Training on Genome Data Analysis of Genetic and Infectious Diseases,” was launched with the intent to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals capable of analyzing and interpreting genomic data, a challenge common across many OIC member states. The initiative targets professionals in public health, PhD scholars, clinicians, and molecular biologists, equipping them with essential skills for tackling complex health challenges through advanced data analysis.
During the opening session, Professor Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, expressed deep appreciation to Malian authorities for hosting the workshop and for their hospitality towards the Pakistani expert trainers, Dr. Waseem Haider of COMSATS University, Islamabad, and Dr. Zaira Rehman from Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi. Prof. Choudhary highlighted the pressing need for such specialized training across OIC states and the importance of building local capacity in biomedical data science.
The event was officially inaugurated by Professor Mahamadou Diakité, Rector of the University of Technical Sciences and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), who praised the collaborative efforts underpinning this international initiative. He welcomed participants and emphasized the value of partnerships in addressing critical scientific gaps.
The hybrid-format workshop drew over 150 attendees from diverse backgrounds including healthcare, academia, and research, marking a milestone in regional efforts to advance bioinformatics education and genomic research capabilities, particularly within West Africa. The program reflects a strong commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration among scientific communities in the OIC and African regions.
