First CBRNe Master’s degree program with specific focus in Africa celebrates graduation of first cohort of students

In 2019, partner countries* of the African Atlantic Façade initiated efforts to develop a Regional Action Plan to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CRBNe) risks. During this process, it became evident that there was a knowledge gap regarding CBRNe issues among professionals working in different partner countries’ administrations or companies that may play a part in the CBRNe field. Recognising the necessity to establish a shared culture of safety and security, partner countries committed to implement a Master’s degree programme designed to address the specific CBRNe needs and challenges faced by African countries.

On 16 June 2023, the first-of-its-kind specialised CBRNe African Master’s programme achieved a milestone with the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students at the International University of Rabat, Morocco. 21 trainees from six partner countries obtained their degree following the successful completion of a five-time two-weeks intensive training programme addressed at key managers and operational personnel involved in the CBRNe area. The diploma is recognized by France’s Conférence des Grandes Écoles, and by the International University of Rabat.

With the support of the specialised CBRNe African Master’s programme, the participants have strengthened their understanding of the strategies and tools implemented in the CBRNe domain. This includes CBRN crisis management system, advice strategies to public and private decision makers, or insights into the security/safety interfaces of private, public or state organisations, among others.

Supporting the creation of a new specialised CBRNe African Master's degree

The European Union supported the implementation of the CBRNe Master’s degree specialized in Africa within the context of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centre of Excellence Initiative EU CBRN CoE

CoE Project ‘MANA’ was born with the objective to set up and operationalize a Master's level university curriculum by delivering training sessions to key managers and operational personnel in Africa, leading to the new specialized CBRN Master's degree. Drawing upon the expertise gained over the past decade, the University of Upper Alsace partnered in the project and played a crucial role in customizing the CBRNe Master's degree to suit the African context.

Beyond the first cohort of students who recently graduated in Rabat, Project ‘MANA’ envisions three more promotions of the CBRNe African Master’s programme. The first two promotions are specifically reserved for the partner countries of the African Atlantic Façade Regional Secretariat. The third promotion will include additional French-speaking CoE partner countries, while the fourth promotion will be dedicated to English-speaking CoE partner countries.

For more information on how the EU CBRN CoE is supporting the strengthening of CBRN risk mitigation in the African Atlantic Façade, please see the African Atlantic Façade Regional Secretariat page

* Currently, the EU CBRN CoE initiative support to CBRN risk mitigation in the African Atlantic Façade region comprises the ten following partner countries: Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.