OPCW Associate Programme 2001: Reflections of a Participant

Overview

I was privileged to be selected among the twelve associates for the OPCW Associate Programme 2001. The programme was designed primarily to contribute to the development of chemistry and chemical engineering in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The course, the second of its kind, brought together qualified technical personnel from Algeria, Armenia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lithuania, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, and Zimbabwe.

The course was organised in three segments:

* an overview of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);

* advanced training in engineering at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom; and

* internships and training at differentindustrial facilities in the Netherlands and other European Member States of the OPCW.

The 10-week course was held from 6 August to 11 October 2001.

Induction Segment

The induction segment brought together participants from different countries and varied professions ranging from chemical engineers, chemists, biochemists working with their National Authorities, and personnel of governmental, non-governmental and private institutions.

We were all eager to develop our expertise, and participated with enthusiasm during the course. During the first week, we were provided with an overview of the CWC. We were also briefed, amongst other things, on the organisational structure of OPCW, the roles of National Authorities, and the procedures to be complied with during OPCW inspections in States Parties. We were assigned individual research projects that were to be completed by the end of the course, with the final submission to be made in the form of written reports combined with oral presentations of the findings.

University Segment

Following the induction segment, we travelled to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the second segment of the course, at the University of Surrey. It was challenging for us to readjust to a new environment at the University of Surrey so soon after first arriving in the Netherlands.

The three-week segment at the University in Surrey was truly remarkable, and we appreciated the teaching method used for the course. We received information on the theoretical and practical aspects of the subjects, and were given an opportunity to fully participate in assignments and exercises. The areas covered during this segment included: chemical process technology; health, safety and the environment, including QRA, COSSH, HAZOP; leadership and teamwork; and communication and presentation skills, as well as problem-solving techniques.

The practical exercise in this segment included participation in the management and operation of a simulated company called "Hess Chemicals". During this practical exercise, we had the opportunity to play different roles in the management of the chemical company. In a day, one could play different roles, from Managing Director, Operations Manager, Business Advisor, or Laboratory Assistant to Shift Hand or Shift Leader. These opportunities gave us an understanding of the different types of responsibilities and roles exercised in a typical chemical company. We were faced with practical problems, which helped us to develop problem-solving techniques within a limited timeframe and under pressure.

Intermediate Segment

Following the completion of the University of Surrey segment, there was a week-long intermediate segment at OPCW headquarters. We made visits to several institutions in the Netherlands, including the OPCW Laboratory, the CWC National Authority of the Netherlands, the Netherlands customs facilities (Europoort), and Rotterdam Harbour. We also participated in a very stimulating tabletop exercise, organised by the OPCW Inspectorate Division. We had the opportunity to play the roles of inspectors, as well as those of representatives of the National Authorities. The exercise provided us with detailed practical knowledge of inspection procedures (pre-inspection as well as post-inspection procedures). We also gained some insight into the procedures used by the Secretariat in verification activities and declarations.

Industrial Segment

During this segment we gained useful work experience in a modern chemical industrial facility. Participants were sent to different chemical facilities in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

For the duration of this segment we developed a clearer understanding of the organisational structure of these chemical industries and operational procedures, as well as of laboratory analysis, research and development, and marketing strategies.

We were not merely observers, but were able to use our skills to address some challenging issues existing at these chemical facilities. It was very gratifying for all of us to be told that many of our suggestions and solutions were considered seriously by the management of these facilities. In the ninth week, participants made oral presentations on their industrial projects at OPCW headquarters.

Research Projects

The research projects dealt with issues relating to the CWC and were designed to fit the expertise of the participants. Although participants worked on their research projects throughout the course, in the last two weeks we focused solely on the finalisation and presentation of these findings. The expertise of participants was fully utilised, and we were encouraged to use innovative strategies to obtain data and generate our research project reports. Some topics, of course, were more challenging than others, and obtaining data for them was difficult. But these challenges helped us to improve our skills in retrieving data from the Internet in an effective manner, with the help of search engines on the Internet; to use databases such as the chemical abstracts; and to search in libraries for relevant books and journals. As a result of this thorough research gathering exercise, participants were able to write comprehensive reports on their topics and to make effective oral presentations on their reports.

Appreciation

The second course of the Associate Programme was made possible through collaboration between the OPCW, the chemical industry, institutions involved in the implementation of the CWC, consultants from other organisations, and academic institutions such as the University of Surrey.

On behalf of the participants, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to the organisations, governments and companies mentioned below for the financial, technical and material support which they provided during the entire training period.

* The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

* The Canadian Government;

* Du Pont de Nemours B.V (the Netherlands);

* Exxon Mobil Chemical (the Netherlands);

* Solvay NOH (Belgium);

* D-Societe Normande Del'Azote (Hydro-France);

* Lyondell Chemie (the Netherlands).

Our sincere thanks are also due to OPCW staff, especially to those of the International Cooperation Branch within the International Cooperation and Assistance Division, for their continuous guidance, encouragement and support throughout the training period.

I believe that the Associate Programme was organised in a very structured manner to allow the participants to gain knowledge and expertise on many subjects concerning the implementation of the CWC. On behalf of all participants, I can say without hesitation that the training received was extremely beneficial to us all.

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Categories: Associate Programme