Penang, Malaysia Oct 31st to Nov 3rd 2011

The international conference on Modern Biotechnologies: Sustainable innovation and regulatory needs will be taking place on the beautiful island of Penang, Malaysia Oct 31st to Nov 3rd 2011. The conference is a GenOk conference organized in partnership with Third World Network and is funded by grants from the ministry of foreign affairs / NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Developmental Cooperation).

The conference aims to focus on three key interrelated questions:    

   1. Do current regulations sufficiently address the novel aspects of existing and emerging modern biotechnologies (new classes of GMOs, synthetic biology and nano-biotechnology)?
      
   2. What specific measures would be required to meet any deficiencies identified to achieve sustainable innovation?
      
   3. Are there specific regional issues, which need to be addressed in this context, and if so, how?
      

The conference will bring key figures in science and regulatory bodies together to discuss challenges, uncertainties and sustainability of new and upcoming techniques of modern biotechnologies, new products thereof and implications for current legislation / regulation. Arenas for open and dynamic discussions on these very important and imminent questions are essential for ensuring that science is directed to meet societal needs. An intended outcome of the conference is to formulate practical initiatives in response to the key questions.

Sponsorship

Full sponsorship will be given to up to 40 selected applicants from developing countries (defined as nations receiving official development assistance, ODA – see list, here). The sponsorship will cover curricular materials, course-associated travel, visa-fees, accommodation and meals.

Sponsored participants have to submit an abstract (see guidelines at the bottom of the page) or a description of their role as regulator/NGO related to the topic of the conference, max. 250 words.

Deadline to submit application, abstract/description and CV: 31 July 2011

To apply online for sponsorship click here.

Download application form (word-file) for sponsorship

Self-financed participants

This conference is open to all.

The conference fee is USD $200. This includes conference material, lunches/refreshments, and the conference dinner.

The fee does not include travel and accomodation.

Payment is due 14 days after registration has been confirmed by GenØk. Payment should be made in USD.

Registration deadline: 1 September 2011

To register click here.

Registration cancellation and refund policy

Cancellations received on or before 1 October 2011, will be honored with a refund minus a USD $25 administration fee. Refunds will be credited to the account used for registration. No refunds will be honored for cancellations received after 1 October 2011.
 

Payment details:

Account name: GenØk – Centre for Biosafety
Account address: PB. 6418, 9294 Tromsø, Norway
Account no: 4750 16 32887
Bank: Sparebank 1 Nord Norge
Bank Address: PO box 6800, 9298 Tromsø, Norway
SWIFT: SNOWNO22
IBAN: NO6447501632887
Reference: “your surname”

Abstract

Submissions due by

• 31 July 2011 for sponsored applicants
• 15 September 2011  for self-financed participants
   

Guidelines for abstracts:

• Abstracts must be written in English.
• The abstract text should not exceed 250 words.
• The title should not exceed 30 words.
• There is no limit to the number of authors. The presenting author should be underlined.
• Please use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial. This will prevent special characters from being lost when copying the text.
• It is the author’s responsibility to submit a correct abstract. Any errors in spelling, grammar or scientific fact will be reproduced in the abstract book as typed by the author.

Abstracts that do not meet the above criteria or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Please e-mail your abstract to courses@genok.org

Speakers will be notified by 1 October 2011.

Poster dimensions are at maximum: 120 cm high x 90 cm wide (portrait). Pushpins will be provided for your use.