Today, at The Hague, the OPCW-The Hague Award 2017 was assigned to two International Master courses in the protection against CBRNe (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events) of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” at the 22nd Conference of the States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The 45,000 euro award was handed over to Prof Leonardo Palombi, the Director of the Master Courses and of the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, by the Director General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, at the presence of the Italian Ambassador in The Hague and of the Head of the National Authority for the Implementation of the Convention for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“Italy staunchly supports any initiative aimed at promoting the implementation of the Convention on Chemical Weapons which prohibits their use and requires their destruction,” said Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. He added: “My congratulations to Tor Vergata University that, through its curricula, supports this strategic goal.”
The two “Protection from CBRNe events” International Master Courses (1st and 2nd level), entirely taught in English, aim to train professionals to operate on the ground and to provide technical support in managing emergency situations arising from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear events. Since 2009, the two courses have trained more than 170 experts, becoming a point of reference of absolute relevance in the academic world. The National Authority for the Implementation of the Convention for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons established at the Directorate General for Policy and Security Affairs put up its candidacy for the 2017 prize in close coordination with the Italian Embassy in The Hague.
