Under the patronage of the Dean of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies / University of Baghdad, Prof. Dr. Salwa Jaber Al-Awadi, and under the supervision of a distinguished group of the Institute’s faculty members, the Institute organized an awareness festival on the occasion of World Antibiotic Awareness Week.
The festival witnessed wide participation from faculty members and staff of the Institute, along with the active involvement of PhD students, in addition to hosting faculty members from the University of Baghdad and Al-Nahrain University.
The festival was organized by Asst. Prof. Dr. Ashwaq Bassem Jasim, Asst. Prof. Dr. Wi’am Ahmed Al-Amili, Lect. Dr. Ali Mohammed Redha Al-Fandi, Lect. Dr. Hiba Hazim, Lect. Dr. Riam Bassem, Lect. Dr. Hind Adnan, Asst. Lect. Alaa Aziz, Asst. Lect. Zainab Muayyad, Asst. Lect. Raja Abdul Ali, and Asst. Lect. Sara Mahdi.
The festival included a variety of scientific and awareness activities, such as distributing brochures and informational cards aimed at promoting the rational use of antibiotics, in addition to educational segments designed to foster a culture of health responsibility within the academic community.
The event also hosted a number of faculty members from the College of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Baghdad, as well as first-year students for the new academic year, as part of an effort to broaden awareness and disseminate modern health concepts among students from different disciplines.
During the event, Prof. Dr. Salwa Jaber Al-Awadi delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of enhancing community awareness about the dangers of antibiotic misuse. She highlighted that the world today faces a serious challenge represented by the increasing antimicrobial resistance resulting from the improper and uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
She stated:
“Our responsibility as academic and research institutions is not limited to producing knowledge alone; it extends to spreading health awareness within the community and guiding future generations toward rational drug-use behavior. Antibiotics are a major scientific asset, and preserving their effectiveness is an ethical and professional duty that rests with everyone.”
She also praised the efforts of the organizing committees and participants in ensuring the success of the festival, affirming that such events represent a fundamental pillar in building a conscious society capable of confronting modern health challenges.
The festival concluded with an affirmation of the Institute’s continued commitment to organizing scientific and awareness activities that contribute to enhancing public health and supporting the academic and research mission of the University of Baghdad.
This awareness festival directly contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being by promoting the rational use of antibiotics and reducing the risks of antimicrobial resistance. It also indirectly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through raising health awareness, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging responsible use of medicines, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through academic collaboration between universities.
