Knowledge Group launches the CBRN Hub in partnership with key international players

Knowledge Group (KG), the training, development and consulting arm of Abu Dhabi University (ADU), announced the launch of the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) Hub in the UAE, in partnership with Orbrix Technical and Occupational Skills Training and in cooperation with the European Union (EU) Centers of Excellence (CoE) for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region. The Hub was launched during a virtual conference on the 16th of November 2020, with over 150 attendees from local, regional and international entities.

The virtual conference saw participation from key attendees from Knowledge Group, Orbrix Technical and Occupational Skills Training, the UAE CBRN Hub, the European Union (EU) Centers of Excellence (CoE) for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region, as well as various guest speakers from several entities including the UAE Ministry of Interior, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, the European Union, the United Nations, the European Commission, the Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence.

Working in line with national requirements, the Hub will serve a myriad of areas including research, advisory services, training programs, qualifications, conferences, network support research working with the key agencies.

Dr. Ahmad Badr, Chief Executive Officer and a Founding Member of Knowledge Group commented: “We are pleased to be working alongside key industry players to launch the CBRN Hub in line with our commitment to grow sustainable knowledge and skills for individuals, businesses and governments that will ensure their readiness to tackle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. By combining a broad spectrum of expertise, knowledge and resources under one roof, including national and international experts from the Knowledge Group, Orbrix and the EU CBRN CoE Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region, the Hub will provide focused management and prioritization of capabilities development in line with national and regional policies and priorities.”

He added: “The CBRN Hub will offer an interactive platform to engage with field experts and learn about a range of different disciplines. Our vision is to have the CBRN Hub as the approved facility for a resource and central point of operation for all stakeholders and parties involved in planning for and responding to CBRN events.”

Mr. Ahmed Zaid Saeed Al Shemeili , Founder of CBRN Hub UAE, Official Representative of the UAE in the European Union Regional Secretariat of CoE for CBRN Emergencies and Representative to UAE in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) commented  “A few years ago, an idea was seeded and nurtured and finally brought to fruition by an amazing team through collaborations and partnerships. The UAE CBRN Hub will work in close cooperation with the EU CoE Initiative, and international organizations such as the EU CoE for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region, the European Union, the European Commission, UNICRI, IAEA, OPCW, WHO and INTERPOL, to ensure that in addition to fulfilling the training requirements of all stakeholders, the Hub will support these stakeholders through future research and projects’ development and include services such as after-service customer care including risk and threat assessment support, development of response plans and procedures, implementation support and organizational and response evaluations.”

From her side, Hawa Charfaray, CEO of Orbrix Technical and Occupational Skills Training, commented: “We are delighted to launch the UAE CBRN Hub with Knowledge Group and we are confident that this partnership will raise the prestige and leadership of the UAE in CBRN preparedness and response by becoming a regional center for CBRN training and research. Working with all stakeholders in CBRN, the Hub could open its training and education program to the CBRN community in GCC countries, and eventually to organizations from the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The UAE has the technological knowledge and the de facto role to be the regional leader in CBRN field of training, development and research, and this CBRN Hub being launched by Knowledge Group in partnership with Orbrix in the UAE will fill a regional gap.”

The Hub will provide a one-stop shop for all aspects related to CBRN education, training, exercises and research and will work in close cooperation with the EU CoE, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to ensure that the training is relevant, adapted to the constantly evolving security threat basis and in line with up-to-date doctrines, practices and safety standards in the area.

Moreover, the UAE CBRN Hub is set to establish an  Augmented and Virtual Reality learning center in the UAE, to be the first of its kind in the Gulf Region and the Middle East and will join the ranks of the world’s top AR/VR training academies for civil protection and emergency responders, including those in Singapore, Korea and Coventry University in the UK.

Knowledge Group is a regional leader, with extensive experience supporting and reinforcing the operational capabilities of the Middle East and North Africa region’s workforce and its private and public organizations. Since its establishment, Knowledge Group has provided solutions in training and development for over 150,000 people across more than 19 countries of operation, in collaboration with over 25 international partners.