Regional educational and training center on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) safety and security and WMD counter-terrorism (hereinafter referred to as the Training Center) of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety and Security Agency of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (hereinafter referred to as CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST) started its activities in 2011 as a National Training Center.

In March 2018, it received the status of a Regional Training Center. Representatives of 13 embassies and 16 international organizations attended the opening ceremony of the Training Center.

The Regional training center was established on the basis of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Agency of National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (according to the Decree of the Presidium of NAST dated November 5, 2021, number 117, the Agency was renamed on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety and Security Agency).

The Training center operates in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 of the National Action Plan of Tajikistan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, approved by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 454 of February 9, 2016, and Presidium of National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan No. 84 of July 11, 2016, as well as on the basis of regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Statute of CBRN Safety and Security Agency and the Regulations of Regional educational and training center on CBRN safety and security and WMD counter-terrorism of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST.

The training center carries out the following activities:

-    organization and conduct of postgraduate, master's programs and short-term courses on radiation safety;
-    organization and conduct of advanced training courses for employees of organizations that use sources of ionizing radiation in their activities;
-    organization and conduct courses for law enforcement officers on preventing smuggling and illegal trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and export control;
-    organization and conduct courses on biological and chemical safety;
-    organization and conduct trainings, conferences, seminars and round tables;
-    elaboration of educational materials, including in electronic form;
-    provision of advanced educational technologies;
-    development and improvement of teaching methods and educational programs. 

The training center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including 2 conference rooms with a simultaneous translation system, a Polycom system for online events; 4 rooms for group classes, equipped with projectors and screens; 2 hypothetical checkpoints for vehicles and pedestrians. The training center has two portal radiation monitors for vehicles and pedestrians, two mobile detection systems for nuclear and other radioactive materials, and a variety of portable equipment for the detection and identification of nuclear and other radioactive materials.
 

The training center covers a wide range of education and training services in the field of chemical and biological safety, nuclear security, radiation safety, IAEA safeguards, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, export controls etc. As part of its activities, training center conducts national, regional, interregional and international training courses, workshops, seminars and distance learning for interested organizations.

Annually, more than 500 specialists from state regulatory body, law enforcement agencies, industrial, medical and educational institutions who use sources of ionizing radiation in their activities are trained at the training center.

Employees of the training center conduct courses on preventing the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials at various border and customs checkpoints for employees of the Border Service, the State Committee for National Security, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. This course teaches the fundamentals of radiation, the basic functions of equipment for detection and identification of nuclear and other radioactive materials, and equipment alarm testing and response.

Practical training courses on preventing illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials, conducted directly at border and customs checkpoints in real conditions, allow participants to identify weaknesses in the work of border and customs services and determine ways to eliminate them. During practical courses, various scenarios for detecting nuclear and other radioactive materials are implemented using radiation portal monitors for vehicles and pedestrians and portable detection and identification devices.

On a regular basis, courses for employees of medical institutions and industrial enterprises that use sources of ionizing radiation in their activities are held. The course includes the basics of radiation safety, legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of nuclear and radiation safety, dosimetry, the effects of radiation on the human body, and response to radiation accidents.

The training center uses various methods and tools for effective training, such as lectures, group exercises, practical training on operation of Radiation Portal Monitors and Mobile Detection Systems, as well as the use of portable instruments for the detection and identification of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The Center also organizes technical visits to the laboratory of Technical Support Organization of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST.
The training center offers a master's program on the specialty “Radioecology”. Practical classes are conducted in the laboratory of Technical Support Organization of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST.
Over the past 10 years, the Training Center has hosted more than 100 international, regional and national trainings, seminars and meetings in the field of nuclear security, nuclear forensics, legislation, CBRN safety and security, export control, WMD non-proliferation, IAEA safeguards, etc.

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